title: Retrospective analysis of cellulitis of the floor of the mouth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze clinical data of patients treated for mouth floor cellulitis during 2003-2006 years at the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Vilnius University Hospital Zalgiris Clinic and to compare the results with existing data.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patient's gender, age, social insurance, demographic profile, preference of first visit, previous treatment, origin of inflammation, symptoms of disease, treatment protocol and outcomes were evaluated from 240 clinical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The male-female ratio was 1.3:1. The mean age of patients was 43.18+/-7.56 years. 65% of patients were from urban. 47% of patients were employed, 15% retirees, 22% unemployed, 10% children, 2% students and 4% handicapped people. In 65% of cases primary diagnosis was incorrect. Majority of patients appealed to doctor on the first five days from the beginning of the disease. 93.7% of mouth floor cellulites were odontogenic origin. In 32.9% of the patients at the time of first examination the extension of inflammation into parapharyngeal, pterygomandibular spaces or neck together with mouth floor cellulitis was diagnosed. In 1.7% (in 4 out of 240) of cases infection extended into the neck and parapharyngeal spaces despite treatment. In 2% (in 5 out of 240) of cases infection extended to mediastinum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the aggressive treatment serious complications still are possible. Delayed treatment procedures might determine poor prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Odontology, Vilnius University, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Linas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zaleckas
authors.forename: Ruta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rasteniene
authors.forename: Jurate
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rimkuviene
authors.forename: Rimante
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seselgyte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009060:Mouth Floor / Q000473:pathology*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D012179:Retirement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult