Ludwig angina
From IDWiki
Background
- Infection of the bilateral sublingual and submylohyoid space
Microbiology
- Oral flora, including anaerobes
Clinical Manifestations
- Rapidly-progressive bilateral neck space infection
- Starts with floor of mouth and progresses
- May have swollen tongue
Diagnosis
- Clinical findings with or without supportive imaging
Management
- Airway protection is most important
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics covering oral flora, such as piperacillin-tazobactam or ampicillin-sulbactam, or a cephalosporin plus metronidazole, or clindamycin
