title: Ludwig's angina: a place for steroid therapy in its management?
abstract: Ludwig's angina is an uncommon but potentially fatal condition which presents as a hard swelling of the floor of the mouth. It spreads rapidly as a gangrenous process that may cause death through local airway obstruction. Ludwig's angina carried a 54% mortality rate in the preantibiotic era which has now been reduced to approximately 4%. Diagnosis is based on history and clinical observation. Currently described treatment involves protecting the airway and managing the infection with antibiotics and surgical drainage when indicated.
authors.affiliation: Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Freund
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Timon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008158:Ludwig's Angina / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009060:Mouth Floor; D010400:Penicillin G / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D010400:Penicillin G; D008775:Methylprednisolone