Intraorbital abscess: a rare complication after maxillary molar extraction.
BACKGROUND
The orbit is prone to being affected by an odontogenous infection, owing to its anatomical proximity to the maxillary sinus. A possible reason for an ophthalmic manifestation of a dental abscess is extraction of an acutely inflamed tooth.


METHODS
The authors describe the treatment of a man who had painful swelling and redness in the area of his right eye after having a maxillary molar extracted a few days previous. A general dentist referred the patient to the clinic after he began to experience a progressive deterioration of vision of his right eye. Emergency surgical intervention prevented impending loss of vision, and subsequent healing was uneventful.


CONCLUSIONS
To avoid serious complications, clinicians should not perform a tooth extraction when the patient is in the acute stage of a maxillary sinus infection. Appropriate diagnostic imaging and profound evaluation of the clinical state play major roles in managing the treatment of patients with inflammatory processes that involve the oral and paraoral regions.
Stübinger
Stefan
S
University Clinic for Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Cranio-and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital, Basle, Switzerland. sstuebinger@uhbs.ch
Leiggener
Christoph
C
Sader
Robert
R
Kunz
Christoph
C
D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D004653:Empyema / Q000382:microbiology; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000382:microbiology; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008443:Maxillary Sinus / Q000382:microbiology; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery; D009916:Orbital Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D010254:Paranasal Sinus Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects