Diffuse Cervico-Facial Cellulitis: Epidemiological, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects at the Teaching Hospital CNHU HKM of Cotonou

Abstract

Purpose of the work: to study the epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis collected within the ENT-CCF surgery department of the CNHU of Cotonou. Materials and method: the study was a descriptive retrospective carried out from January 1 st , 2018 to Decem-ber 31 st , 2020. It concerned new cases of diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis identified during the period. Results: in 3 years, 55 cases of diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis were identified out of 1101 hospitalized patients. The frequency was 4.99%. Per year, 18 cases of cervico-facial cellulitis are recorded. The mean age of the patients was 41.3 years with extremes of 15 years and 85 years. A clear male predominance was noted with a sex ratio of 1.29. Painful cervi-co-facial swelling was the most common reason for medical consultation (47 patients or 85.5% of cases). Thirty patients (54.5%) showed a deterioration in general condition. Several clinical forms of diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis have been described, in particular the gangrenous form, the suppurative, ne-crotizing form and LUDWIG's angina. The portal of entry was dental in 50 patients (91% of cases), favored by poor oral hygiene and self-medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The medico-surgical treatment implemented was favorable for 47 patients (85.5%). Conclusion: Diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis remains a frequent medical-surgical emergency in the CCF ENT department at the Teaching Hospital of Cotonou. Mainly of odontogenic origin, it is encountered in different clinical forms.