title: Odontogenic maxillofacial space infections at a tertiary care center in North India: a five-year retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Odontogenic infections contribute to a significant proportion of maxillofacial space infections (MSI) across the world. MSI can cause several life-threatening complications despite skillful management. The objective of this study was to review the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of odontogenic MSI treated at a tertiary care center, and to identify the factors predisposing to life-threatening complications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of all patients treated for MSI from January 2006 to December 2010 at the Christian Medical College Hospital in Ludhiana, North India, was conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 137 patients identified, 66.4% were men. Mean patient age was 40 years, and 24.1% of the patients were diabetic. The most common origin was pulpal (70.8%), the most common space involved was the submandibular space, and the most common teeth responsible were the lower third molars. Twenty patients (14.6%) developed complications. Diabetes, multiple space involvement, and a total leukocyte count of ≥15×10(9)/l were associated with complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with MSI who present with multiple space involvement, a high leukocyte count, and those with diabetes are at higher risk of developing life-threatening complications and need to be closely monitored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Christian Dental College, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: George C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Mathew
authors.forename: Laxman Kumar
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Ranganathan
authors.forename: Sumir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Mini Elizabeth
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.forename: Inderjot
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Manisha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solanki
authors.forename: Saurab
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bither
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003788:Dental Pulp Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008158:Ludwig's Angina / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult