CT Manifestation of Abscess Occupying the Infratemporal Fossa and Temporoparietal Region in a 73-Year-Old Male- Case Report

Volume 2 - Issue 1

Ewa Zawiślak* and Rafał Nowak

Received: February 17, 2020;   Published: February 26, 2020

DOI: 10.32474/LOJPCR.2020.02.000126

Full Text PDF

To view the Full Article   Peer-reviewed Article PDF

Abstract

Commonly available dental care and a widespread use of antibiotics in an outpatient setting have not eliminated odontogenic infections which may require inpatient admission as potentially life-threatening conditions. The spread of infection to the deep fascia of the head and neck may lead to severe and life-threatening complications, such as airway obstruction, mediastinitis, sepsis and septic shock, endocarditis or intracranial abscess formation. Clinical presentation of deep fasciitis of the head and neck may not correspond to the systemic deterioration in the same patient. Therefore, contrast-enhanced computed tomography should be a standard diagnostic imaging in such cases, as it enables accurate location of inflammation, whereas contrast enhancement enables differentiation between soft tissue inflammation and fluid collections based on their density relative to the one of air. It substantially aides the diagnosis, where the history and clinical presentation are inconclusive. The aim of the paper is to discuss the diagnostic management, presentation and spread of odontogenic infections of the head and neck by presenting the rare case of abscess occupying the left infratemporal fossa and temporoparietal region in a 73-year-old male.

Keywords: Craniofacial Ct; Odontogenic abscess; Odontogenic infection; Temporal fossa abscess; Phlegmon of the face; Surgical treatment

Abstract| Introduction| Discussion| References|