Fatal mediastinitis after a dental infection.
The pertinent features of life-threatening complications of dental infections have been briefly reviewed with particular emphasis on the alterations of the clinical features of these conditions induced by antibiotic therapy. The clinician who deals with dental infections must exercise a high index of suspicion to consistently abort the development of these complications, especially when treating debilitated patients or individuals with compromised immune functions.
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000150:complications; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013363:Submandibular Gland
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents