A Rare Cause of Neck Swelling: Ludwig’s Angina

Ludwig’s Angina is a rare complication of periodontal infection that can result in severe upper airway obstruction and potentially death. A 22-year-old male presented to the emergency department of a public hospital with fever, chills, left-sided neck pain and swelling. The left submandibular area was indurated with palpable crepitus. Computed tomography showed the extension to deep neck spaces. The patient was treated with ampicillin-sulbactam, metronidazole and analgesics. He was tansported to a tertiary medical center for definitive care. Ludwig’s angina is a potentially lethal disease. We believe that many emergency departments have limited experience of the disease because of its rare occurrence. In addition, technical opportunities and early surgery capacity of the emergency room have an effect on survey. Management should contain early diagnosis and the immediate aggressive medical approach. Securing and maintaining the airway is the primary goal in all patients presenting with Ludwig’s Angina.