Ludwig's angina as an extremely unusual complication for direct microlaryngoscopy
Received 1 September 2008 published online 27 March 2009.
Abstract
Background
An extremely rare case that to our knowledge has not been reported before is described, in which a patient had a Ludwig's angina as a complication of direct microlaryngoscopy.
Methods
We report a Ludwig's angina after a direct microlaryngoscopy for a Reinke's edema, due to erosion on the internal face of the mandible produced by compression of the laryngoscope.
Results
The patient underwent placement of 2 drainages, intraoral and cervical, and several incisions on the floor of the mouth, with intravenous corticosteroids and antibiotics and with resolution of the illness without performing tracheostomy.
Conclusions
Ludwig's angina is an extremely rare complication of microlaryngoscopy, but it is potentially life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment resulted in survival of the patient without complications.
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo Asturias, Spain
Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
Corresponding author. Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, c/ Valdés 10, 2° E, 33012 Oviedo Asturias, Spain. Tel.: +34 669083336; fax: +34 985 10 62 76.
ABSTRACT