title: [Diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis: 32 cases in Libreville].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to analyze the predisposing factors and the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study examined the records of all 32 patients admitted to the ENT and cervico-facial department of the Omar Bongo Ondimba Army Teaching Hospital in Libreville with diffuse cervico-facial cellulitis, from January 2006 through December 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 18 women (56%) and 14 men (44%) with a mean age of 28 years. At admission, 28 patients (87.5%) had already received anti-inflammatory drugs and 25 (78%) one or more antibiotics. Two patients were HIV+. The main route was dental for 21 patients (66%), tonsillar for 4 (13%), submandibular for 2 (6%), parotid for 2 cases (6%), cutaneous for 1 (3%) and unspecified in 2 more (6%). The cellulitis was pseudo-phlegmonous in 24 patients (75%) and gangrenous in 8 cases (25%). It extended to the mediastinum in six patients (19%). The bacteriological study, carried out in 24 cases (75%), found 14 cases of aerobic germs. Medical or medical and surgical treatment led to cure for 30 patients (94%). Two patients (6%) died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment of cervico-facial cellulitis must be early and multidisciplinary. Self-medication with anti-inflammatory drugs for bucco-pharyngeal infections without appropriate antibiotic treatment is the principal predisposing factor.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital D'instruction des armées Omar Bongo Ondimba Service d'ORL&CCF Libreville Gabon. jmelioundja@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miloundja
authors.forename: Suzy Flore
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Assini Eyogho
authors.forename: Jean Marcel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mandji Lawson
authors.forename: Magloire
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ondounda
authors.forename: Jean Sylvain
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Koumba
authors.forename: Pierrette
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lekassa
authors.forename: Marguerite
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inibend
authors.forename: Léon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: N'zouba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005491:Focal Infection, Dental / Q000150:complications; D005681:Gabon; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D009057:Stomatognathic Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy