Spread of Odontogenic Infections to Neck and Chest Region: A Case Series

Tooth remains one of the biggest sources of infection affecting soft tissue in head and neck region. Delayed treatment and poor systemic condition may contribute to the advancement of the infection to spread along facial planes to distant sites such as the neck or even chest region. Unfortunately, many patients seek for medical help after the infection has worsen that makes the treatment becomes more complicated. This case series followed 3 patients that were treated at Hasan Sadikin Hospital with different spreading stages of odontogenic infection. These patients presented with red, painful, edema in submandibular, neck, or chest region and all three had toothache prior to their visits to the hospital. The infections were all started from gangrene radix of the mandibular tooth. We treated the patients with intravenous antibiotic and surgical intervention by extraction of the causative tooth, incision and drainage to control the infections and also culture resistency test to find the specific pathogens. They were hospitalized until the infection has subsided and were later discharged. This report will discuss the cause and pattern of odontogenic infections and the management of these cases.