Maxillofacial infections – abscesses

Most of maxillofacial infections have an odontogenic aetiology and they are usually caused by the extension of dental-socket abscesses or by peristefanitis. During the initial states a odontogenic infection is relatively easily manageable.

The treatment of every abscess is based on lifting the cause (endodontic treatment – root canal treatment) or on extracting the responsible tooth, fission-drainage and administration of the appropriate antibiotic treatment.

A dental abscess, if left untreated or if the responsible microbes have an increased infective strength, may extend to the throat and possibly become dangerous for life. When an abscess expands to the face or throat, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon’s contribution is necessary. The role of visceral cranium-throat CT during the diagnosis is determinant. Due to the complicated anatomical structure of the throat, the CT indicates all of the spaces where the abscess extends.

The side-pharynx abscess requires direct treatment. It is described usually by fever, pain, inability to open the mouth. The swelling can be limited. Some extensions of a side-pharynx abscess that may lead to dangerous, for the patient’s life, complications are the extensions to rear-pharynx space and to the mesothorax. For example mesothorax condition (mesothoracitis) has a death rate of 50%.