Odontogenic infections

Condition

• Odontogenic infections

History

• usually obvious 
• need to exclude dysphagia, difficult breathing or opening her mouth
• these symptoms indicate spread of infection in the deep fascial planes of the neck and the need for urgent surgical treatment 

Examination

• vital signs
• examine oral cavity
• percussion of ? the tooth 
• palpation of the lump and cervical lymph node

DDx

• skin lumps
• lymph nodes
• salivary glands

Treatment 

• drainage of pus
• antibiotic either oral or IV, usually amoxycillin, add metronidazole if slow to respond

Reference

- Check program 2012 Dental diseases