TITLE:
Mediastinitis Complicated by Ludwig’s Angina Secondary to Alveolodental Abscess
AUTHORS:
Emanuel da Cruz, Amarildo Nogueira, Indira Eduardo, Filipe da Silva, Stephany Lukeni Silva
KEYWORDS:
Ludwig’s Angina, Mediastinitis, Tracheostomy
JOURNAL NAME:
Case Reports in Clinical Medicine,
Vol.14 No.4,
April
29,
2025
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study is to describe a case report of Ludwig’s angina of odontogenic origin, which evolved with airway obstruction requiring emergency tracheostomy. A 16-year-old adolescent was admitted with Ludwig’s angina complicated with mediastinitis, confirmed by contrast computed tomography. Antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage were instituted, but 2 days later she was admitted to the intensive care unit due to hemodynamic instability. She also evolved with airway obstruction, and emergency tracheostomy was performed. A new computed tomography scan of the cervicothoracic region was performed, which showed collections in the neck and mediastinum, with new extensive drainage and minimal thoracotomy and antibiotic escalation. She had a satisfactory clinical evolution and was discharged without sequelae after 11 days.