title: Acute abscess of the base of the tongue: a rare but important emergency.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acute posterior lingual abscess is rare, but may potentially compromise the airway acutely.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Lingual abscesses call for prompt and aggressive management because they are potentially life-threatening infections. Anterior lingual abscess (the most common) and posterior third lingual abscess must be differentiated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A young man who experienced the beginnings of dyspnea and total aphagia presented to the Emergency Department. A posterior lingual abscess was identified on computed tomography scan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multi-antimicrobial therapy is the cornerstone of treatment. Surgical drainage is also of critical importance for preventing deeper spread of the infection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We present this case to increase awareness among emergency physicians and head and neck surgeons of the clinical findings of acute abscess of the base of the tongue, which can be difficult to diagnose clinically. Imaging of the oral cavity and pharynx is the key to the diagnosis, and the key to choosing the best surgical strategy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Clermont-Ferrand, Gabriel Montpied Teaching Hospital Network, Faculty of Medicine, University of Clermont, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Vellin
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crestani
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saroul
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bivahagumye
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gabrillargues
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gilain
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents