Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume 2006 (2006), Article ID 51931, 4 pages
doi:10.1155/IDOG/2006/51931
Obstetrics Case Report

Severe Life Threatening Maxillofacial Infection in Pregnancy Presented as Ludwig's Angina

Shelly Abramowicz,1 Jacques S. Abramowicz,2 and M. Franklin Dolwick1

1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida School of Dentistry, Gainesville 32610, FL, USA
2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rush University, Chicago 60612, IL, USA

Received 5 January 2006; Revised 27 April 2006; Accepted 27 April 2006

Copyright © 2006 Shelly Abramowicz et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Background. Ludwig's angina is a rapidly spreading cellulitis that may produce upper airway obstruction often leading to death. There is very little published information regarding this condition in the pregnant patient. Case. A 24-year old black female was admitted at 26 weeks gestation with tooth pain, submandibular swelling, severe trismus, and dysphagea, consistent with Ludwig's angina. Her treatment included emergent tracheostomy, incision and drainage of associated spaces, teeth extraction, and antibiotic therapy. Conclusions. During a life threatening infectious situation such as the one described, risks of maternal and fetal morbidity include both septicemia and asphyxia. Furthermore, the healthcare provider must consider the risks that the condition and the possible treatments may cause the mother and her unborn child.