title: Bedside ultrasound of the soft tissue of the face: a case of early Ludwig's angina.
abstract: A case is reported of a 38-year-old man presenting with early Ludwig's angina. It is difficult to differentiate superficial from deep infections of the face and neck by physical examination alone. The diagnosis of this condition with bedside soft tissue ultrasound of the face is described. Ludwig's angina is an uncommon infection of the deep tissues of the face and neck that usually evolves from more superficial infections such as dental abscesses.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Ultrasound, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Romolo J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gaspari
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006801:Humans; D008158:Ludwig's Angina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D010508:Periodontal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis; D010808:Physical Examination; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D011859:Radiography; D018461:Soft Tissue Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D014463:Ultrasonography