Work

A Fatal Outcome of Ludwig’s Angina and Necrotizing Fasciitis Following Traditional Tooth Extraction

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Ludwig's angina is a potentially fatal condition characterized by a rapid onset of cellulitis that bilaterally involves the submandibular, sublingual, and submental spaces. This report describes the case of a 29-year-old female who presented to us with Ludwig's angina following a tooth extraction performed by a traditional healer in Southwestern Uganda. The patient stayed home for over a week before she could seek formal treatment, and this delay led to severe infection and necrotizing fasciitis with extensive tissue necrosis. Despite multiple in-hospital interventions which included incision, drainage, and debridement, the patient succumbed to complications such as secondary lung infection, septicemia, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). This case report highlights the importance of timely medical intervention, socioeconomic barriers, and antibiotic resistance challenges.

Source: International Medical Case Reports Journal

DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s488135

Authors: Abdullahi Abukar, Mihret Woldemichael, Elizabeth Vargas Escalante, Brian Agaba, Yanurkis Duranones Rosales

Institution: Kampala International University

Language: English

Topic: Otolaryngology and Infectious Diseases

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,320