| Ludwig's Angina |
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Information AboutLudwig's Angina |
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Ludwig's angina should not be confused with '' Angina Pectoris '', which is also otherwise commonly known as "''angina''". The word "''angina''" comes from the Greek word ''ankhon'', meaning "strangling", so in this case, Ludwig's angina refers to the feeling of strangling, not the feeling of chest pain, though there may be chest pain in Ludwig's angina if the infection spreads into the retrosternal space. The cause is usually a bacterial infection, most often Streptococci or Staphylococci , although other bacteria can also cause this. Since the advent of Antibiotics , Ludwig's angina has become a rare disease. The symptoms include swelling and pain of the tongue, neck and the tissues of the submandibular and sublingual spaces, malaise, Fever , Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and, in severe cases, Stridor or difficulty breathing. Important signs include the patient not being able to swallow his/her own saliva and the presence of audible stridor as these strongly suggest that airway compromise is imminent. Treatment involves appropriate antibiotic medications, monitoring and protection of the airway in severe cases, and, where appropriate, urgent maxillo-facial Surgery and/or Dental consultation to incise and drain the collections. A nasotracheal tube is sometimes warranted for ventilation if the tissues of the mouth make insertion of an oral airway difficult or impossible. EXTERNAL LINKS |
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