Atypical fulminating dental nfections.
Dental surgeons are faced with treating dental infections on a daily basis and the cases discussed in this paper highlight the potential outcome of such infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Fulminating infection in the head and neck may present as a rapidly progressive, potentially fatal condition characterized by extensive necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues. One form of such infection is necrotizing fasciitis. Although first described in 1793 by Pouteau, the term necrotizing fasciitis was first coined in 1952 by Wilson who noted that facial necrosis was the most consistent feature of this disease. When necrotizing fasciitis occurs in the head and neck region it is usually odontogenic in origin. This paper reviews the cases of four patients presenting with atypical fulminating dental infection who presented to the oral and maxillofacial department at Guy's and St Thomas's Hospital, London, resulting in cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis. Aggressive management is critical for patient survival and time wasted is tissue lost.


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment of dental infections, especially in patients with altered immune status, is critical. There should be a high index of suspicion in patients with dental infections not responding to treatment and maxillary dental infections with sinus symptoms.
Mohammed-Ali
Ricardo I
RI
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, RH19 3DZ, UK.
McGurk
Mark
M
D000328:Adult; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000209:etiology*; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D005145:Face; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000209:etiology*; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D054517:Orbital Cellulitis / Q000209:etiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D034364:Streptococcus milleri Group / Q000254:growth & development