Emergency management of Ludwig’s angina: a case report

Abstract

Objective: Ludwig’s angina is a severe diffuse cellulitis in mandibular region that is commonly caused by odontogenic infection. Due to its acuteness at onset and rapid spread, involving the submandibular, sublingual region bilaterally and submental region, this condition is considered as an emergency because it can cause airway obstruction. Methods: A 40 years old male patient came to Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital emergency room with pain and swelling of lower jaw, drooling, difficulty in breathing and opening his mouth. He was diagnosed with sepsis and Ludwig’s angina. Tracheostomy was performed to secure the airway, which was followed by teeth extraction, incision and drainage to eliminate the source of infection. A combination of intravenous antimicrobial medicines was administered. Results: An advanced case of Ludwig’s angina and its management was reported. The patient showed good response to the treatment and his condition improved. Conclusion: Ludwig’s angina is a rare emergency condition that is potentially life-threatening. Patient showed significant recovery due to immediate and rapid management in securing airway patency and infection source control to prevent the spread of infection and further complications.