Ludwig's angina is a bacterial infection of the floor of the mouth. It involves swelling that may block the airway.
Alternative Names:
Submandibular space infection; Sublingual space infection
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Ludwig's angina is a type of cellulitis that involves inflammation of the tissues of the floor of the mouth, under the tongue. It often occurs after an infection of the roots of the teeth (such as tooth abscess) or a mouth injury.
This condition is uncommon in children.
Symptoms:
Swelling of the tissues occurs rapidly and may block the airway or prevent swallowing of saliva.
Symptoms include:
Breathing difficulty
Confusion or other mental changes
Fever
Neck pain
Neck swelling
Redness of the neck
Weakness, fatigue, excessive tiredness
Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
An examination of the neck and head shows redness and swelling of the upper neck, under the chin. The swelling may reach to the floor of the mouth. The tongue may be swollen or out of place.
A CT scan of the neck may be recommended. Culture of fluid from the tissues may show bacteria.
Review Date: 6/22/2007
Reviewed By: Cyrus Badshah, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University; Assistant Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases & Medical Director, Chest (TB)Clinic and Directly Observed Therapy Program, Harlem Hospital Center. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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General ENT, Internal Medicine
