title: Do dental infections really cause central nervous system infections?
abstract: In the post-World War I antibiotic era, the prevalence of central nervous system (CNS) infections is estimated to be 1 per 100,000 population. The literature is replete with anecdotal case reports of CNS infections of apparent dental etiology. Conversely, it is widely cited that the incidence of CNS infection of dental etiology is only in the range of 1% to 2%. We seek to answer the question if dental infections really cause CNS infections. In this article, we focus on septic cavernous sinus thrombosis and brain abscess and if it is a diagnosis of exclusion or evidence-based.
authors: Department of Dental/Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kings County Hospital Center-SUNY Brooklyn, 451 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY, USA. skloms@aol.com
authors: Stewart K
authors: SK
authors: Lazow
authors: Steven R
authors: SR
authors: Izzo
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Vazquez
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002426:Cavernous Sinus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000294:innervation; D020226:Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis / Q000382:microbiology; D020806:Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D060085:Coinfection / Q000175:diagnosis; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D004322:Drainage; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000382:microbiology; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents