Ten-year experience with multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Odontogenic sinusitis is an underdiagnosed entity and is one cause of failure of conventional treatments of sinusitis. Unfortunately, there is no consensus so far on the best management protocol. This retrospective study aimed to suggest a practical management protocol that can reduce misdiagnosis and improve treatment outcomes. METHODS: The study included 74 patients with confirmed odontogenic sinusitis who were diagnosed and treated over 10 years (2010-2019). The patient data were recorded and analysed. RESULTS: Dental pain was reported in only 31.1 per cent of patients. Fifty-six patients (75.7 per cent) had received dental treatment during the last year, but only 13 (23.1 per cent) reported it. Dental pathology was missed on initial computed tomography evaluation in 24 patients (32.4 per cent). Forty-one patients (55.4 per cent) were successfully treated by dental procedures and antibiotics. Fourteen patients needed functional endoscopic sinus surgery in addition to dental procedures. CONCLUSION: Successful management of odontogenic sinusitis requires good communication between rhinologists, radiologists and dentists. Dental treatment should be the logical first step in the treatment protocol, unless otherwise indicated.

Odontogenic infection and antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw with facial subcutaneous abscess formation: A retrospective clinical study of difficult-to-diagnose cases.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze difficult-to-diagnose cases of odontogenic infection and antiresorptive agent-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ARONJ) with facial subcutaneous abscesses by otolaryngologists. METHODS: The study was conducted in the department of otolaryngology of a university hospital. Seven patients exhibiting odontogenic infection and ARONJ with facial subcutaneous abscesses diagnosed at the department of otolaryngology in our hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 were included in the study. We investigated the following information obtained from the patients: clinical department for initial treatment, sex, age, offending tooth, causative disease, site of the fistula, symptoms, methods of diagnoses, and therapy. RESULTS: Odontogenic infection with facial subcutaneous abscess formation can occur in individuals in a wide range of age groups; however, the pathological manifestations of ARONJ are often observed in older women, frequently at the chin and accompanied by nodules and pain in the adjacent teeth. Computed tomography and orthopantomography are useful for diagnosis and are especially indicated for patients under long-term follow-up or with frequent recurrences. Magnetic resonance imaging, cytodiagnosis, and histological analysis might be necessary to exclude the possibility of tumors. Management of such facial subcutaneous abscesses comprises dental treatment and infection control, and f surgical removal of the abscess is usually not required. Treatments such as sequestrectomy and sitafloxacin administration are useful for patients with ARONJ. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that for patients with facial subcutaneous abscesses, involvement of odontogenic infection and ARONJ should be considered.

Screening of dental and sinus infections in rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased risk of infections. Screening for oral (dental and/or sinus) infection could be proposed before biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) initiation but is not systematically recommended. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of oral infection in RA patients requiring bDMARDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a monocentric retrospective study. We included patients with RA and active disease requiring bDMARDs. Dental infection and sinusitis were assessed by a stomatologist and otorhinolaryngologist after clinical, panoramic dental X-ray and sinus CT evaluation. Factors associated with oral infections were analysed in uni- and multivariate models, estimating odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We included 223 RA patients (79.4% women, mean disease duration 8.9 ± 8.6 years). The mean age was 54.4 ± 10.9 years and mean Disease Activity Score in 28 joints 5.5 ± 2.6. Systematic dental screening revealed infection requiring treatment before bDMARDs initiation in 46 (20.9%) patients. Sinusitis was diagnosed by the otorhinolaryngologist in 33 (14.8%) patients. Among the 223 patients, 69 (30.9%) had dental and/or sinus infection. On univariate analysis, active smoking was associated with increased probability of oral infection (OR = 2.16 [95% CI 1.02-4.57], P = .038) and methotrexate with reduced probability (OR = 0.43 [95% CI 0.23-0.81], P = .006). On multivariate analysis, no RA variables were associated with oral infection. CONCLUSION: In our study, asymptomatic oral infection was confirmed in one third of RA patients.

Odontogenic Maxillofacial Infections in a High-level Hospital: Orofacial Pain and Related Conditions

ABSTRACT Objective: Odontogenic infection is a common condition in America; the aim of this research was to determine the profile of odontogenic maxillofacial infections and to identify the link between these and the pain felt by patients admitted to the emergency dental service of the Hernân Henriquez Aravena Hospital in Temuco, Chile. Methods: A cross-sectional, double-blind study analysed 49 individuals admitted for emergency dental care. Included were admissions associated with odontogenic infection identified by clinical examination, establishing a relation to pain through a survey. The diagnosis was made clinically using the fascial spaces involved in the infection, presence of self-medication prior to admission, need for surgical treatment and the patient 's systemic conditions. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared, ANOVA, considering a value of p < 0.05 as significant. Results: The average pain level measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) in emergency admission was 8.1. There was no association between the diagnosis (pulp infection, periodontal infection or pericoronitis) and the VAS (p = 0.078), but there was association between age and the diagnosis (p = 0.022), and the VAS was associated with pain compared to other types of pathologies or traumas (p = 0.011). Conclusion: Odontogenic infection is frequent and linked to age and high-pain values. New public policies should be adopted based on these results. New studies are needed to assess new variables associated with these pathologies.

Infecção cervicofacial grave de origem odontogênica: relato de caso / Severe cervicofacial infection of odontogenic origin: case report

Introdução: as infecções odontogênicas tem como principal origem a necrose pulpar com invasão bacteriana no tecido periapical e periodontal, podendo levar à formação de quadros de celulite e posteriormente de abscesso, além disso, possuem o potencial de disseminar-se pelos espaços faciais profundos e comprometer a vida do paciente. Complicações graves, decorrentes dos quadros de infecções odontogênicas, podem ocorrer, se o tratamento instituído não for adequado, como: trombose do seio cavernoso, abscesso cerebral, mediastinite e até óbito. Objetivo: discutir o manejo das infecções odontogênicas disseminados em espaços faciais profundos, através do relato de caso clínico. Caso clínico: paciente de 52 anos, portador de diabetes mellitus tipo 2, com infecção odontogênica, no exame clínico inicial apresentava trismo, disfonia, dispneia, disfagia, hiperemia e edema em lado esquerdo da face, envolvendo os espaços canino, bucal, submandibular e cervical além de unidades dentárias com foco infeccioso. Em exame de tomográfica computadorizada, observou-se desvio da via área, presença de um grande volume de gás e de lojas de infecção. Optou-se como tratamento a remoção dos focos dentários e drenagem intraoral foi realizada pela equipe da CTBMF com anestesia local e posteriormente drenagem sob anestesia geral, intubação com uso de fibroscopia pela equipe de cirurgia cabeça e pescoço. Considerações finais: as infecções odontogênicas que envolvem espaços faciais profundos devem ser tratadas com urgência e o tratamento de escolha dessa condição deve ser remoção imediata do foco infeccioso, exploração e drenagem rápida e agressiva dos espaços faciais envolvidos e associação com antimicrobianos de amplo espectro com características bactericidas.(AU)

Introduction: the main origin of odontogenic infections is pulp necrosis with bacterial invasion in the periapical and periodontal tissue, which may lead to the formation of cellulitis and later abscess, besides having the potential to spread to the deep facial spaces and compromise the patient's life. Severe complications from dental infections may occur if the treatment is not appropriate, such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, brain abscess, mediastinitis and even death. Objective: to discuss the management of disseminated odontogenic infections in deep facial spaces through a case report. Case report: a 52-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus, with odontogenic infection, presented at the initial clinical examination trismus, dysphonia, dysphagia, dysphagia, hyperemia and edema on the left side of the face involving the canine, buccal, submandibular and cervical spaces. of dental units with infectious focus. CT scan revealed deviation of the airway, presence of a large volume of gas and infection stores. The treatment was chosen to remove dental foci and intraoral drainage was performed by the CTBMF team under local anesthesia and subsequently under general anesthesia drainage, intubation with fibroscopy by the head and neck surgery team. Final considerations: odontogenic infections involving deep facial spaces should be treated urgently and the treatment of choice for this condition should be immediate removal of the infectious focus, rapid and aggressive exploration and drainage of the involved facial spaces and association with broad-spectrum antimicrobials with bactericidal characteristics.(AU)

Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Antibiotic Prescribing Among Dentists in Sudan

Objective: To evaluate antibiotic prescribing practices of dentists working in a major teaching hospital in Sudan, and to assess the need for establishing education programmes to enhance dentists' awareness of antibiotic use. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out by distributing an anonymous self-administered questionnaire to a convenience sample of dental practitioners at major teaching hospital in Khartoum/Sudan. The questionnaire investigated knowledge and attitudes of participants in relation to antibiotic prescribing in dental practice. Results: One hundred out of 135 dental practitioners working at the hospital participated in the survey with 48 males and 52 females. Most of the participants (N=44) did not specify their preferable drug reference, while 32 participants specified British National Formulary, and the practice was significantly associated with a higher professional rank (p<0.001). Metronidazole was the most frequently cited antibiotic for dentofacial infections (N=73) and Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (N=56), while amoxicillin was the most frequently cited antibiotic for dento-alveolar infections and infective endocarditis prophylaxis (N=88 and N=47, respectively). Conclusion: Undergraduate, as well as postgraduate courses,, are required in Sudan to provide up-to-date orientation on antibiotic use, and to increase awareness of dentists about antibiotic prescribing.

Is there need for technical investigations in order to predict potential length of hospital stay of oral infections?

OBJECTIVE: Oral and maxillofacial infections are generally treated by primary dental or medical caregivers. Nevertheless, because these infections are known to have life-threatening complications, there is a need of clear indicators for emergency services medical staff, particularly in determining when morbidity can be expected and when in-hospital treatment is required. This retrospective study aimed to identify variables that were observable at admission, which could indicate high complication rates, long hospital stays, and/or a need for tracheostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined data from all cases of severe oral and maxillofacial infections that were treated at the University Hospital of Leuven, between January 2013 and June 2017. 64 cases were identified after applying exclusion criteria. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: A univariate analysis showed that body temperature, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, white blood cell counts, and positive bacterial cultures were significantly associated with longer hospital stays, which indicated potential future morbidity. A multivariate analysis showed that dyspnoea, age, and CRP comprised the most significant combination for predicting the length of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Based on the statistical analysis of this population, the research group concludes that a thorough anamnesis and clinical examination should be accompanied by a blood analysis of CRP and white blood cell counts. Only then can a well-founded decision be reached on the severity of the case and the need for hospital admission. In an acute setting, radiological imaging is not required for assessing future morbidity, but it should be performed when accessible.

Dental Emergencies.

Dental emergencies present frequently to the emergency department and urgent care centers. Trauma to the teeth includes fractures, luxations, and avulsions, which can be reduced in most cases. Avulsed primary teeth should never be replaced. Mouthguards should be worn in most youth sports to prevent many dental injuries. Dental caries can progress to worsening infection and should be diagnosed and promptly referred. More severe infections may require antibiotics, imaging, or incision and drainage. Dental blocks can assist with analgesia and patient comfort during other procedures.

Odontogenic Abscess-Related Emergency Hospital Admissions: A Retrospective Data Analysis of 120 Children and Young People Requiring Surgical Drainage.

INTRODUCTION: Even today, despite medical progress and intensive health education, odontogenic infections leading to surgical intervention and hospitalization are common in children and young people. The aim of this study was to give a detailed overview of clinical and economic data on children and young people treated and hospitalized due to an odontogenic abscess at a tertiary university hospital. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of patients under the age of 18 years who were hospitalized and surgically treated under local or general anesthesia for an odontogenic abscess during a period of 24 months was performed. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients (77 males; 43 females) within the observation period of 2 years were included. The mean age was 6.3 years (ranging from 1 to 17 years). The most frequent diagnosis was a canine fossa abscess (n = 52; 43.3%) and the left primary maxillary first molar could be identified as the most frequent source of infection. The average length of hospital stay was 1.82 days (ranging from 0 to 8 days). The duration was significantly correlated with the kind of abscess diagnosed (p < 0.001) and the duration of the surgical intervention in patients who were treated under general anesthesia (rho = 0.259, p = 0.005). A statistically significant relationship was observed between the kind of abscess and cost (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The length of hospital stay was significantly correlated with the kind of abscess diagnosed. The left primary maxillary first molar could be identified as the most frequent source of infection. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the kind of abscess and cost.

[A renewed focus on extra-oral manifestations of oral infections]. / Hernieuwde aandacht voor extraorale gevolgen van ontstekingen in de mond.

Dental focal infections are extraoral manifestations caused by oral pathogens. Pathological oral conditions, such as periapical inflammation and periodontitis, can cause bacteremia. Dissemination of oral pathogens to nonoral sites can subsequently cause infections in extraoral tissues and organs. Cardiovascular infections and brain abscesses are the most common of these. The course of such infections can be lethal. In order to improve patient care, a closer collaboration between dental and medical caregivers is necessary.

Are Emergency Medicine Physicians Able to Determine the Need for Computed Tomography and Specialist Consultation in Odontogenic Maxillofacial Infections?

PURPOSE: Pain and swelling from a necrotic tooth is a common complaint in emergency departments. These patients impose substantial burdens on hospital budgets and provider time. The initial triage of odontogenic infections can be difficult without advanced knowledge and training in head and neck anatomy and odontogenic disease pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency with which emergency medicine physicians correctly determine the need for computed tomography (CT) and specialist consultation in patients with odontogenic infections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective case series was designed. Patients older than 18 years with an odontogenic infection presenting to the emergency department from August 1, 2012 to April 30, 2015 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data were recorded, with special attention paid to the hospital service consulted and imaging ordered. The location of the abscess and the clinical presentation of the patient were used to determine the necessity for the imaging and consultation. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients met the inclusion criteria (52.9% women; mean age, 40.0 yr). The decision to order CT was made by emergency medicine physicians for 61.7% of patients with infections that did not require CT. Likewise, oral and maxillofacial surgery was consulted for 77.8% of patients with infections that did not require a specialist consultation. CONCLUSION: In this study, emergency medicine physicians misinterpreted the clinical needs of a large percentage of patients with odontogenic infections. Better education, interdepartmental collaboration, and conducting and disseminating peer-reviewed research are several ways to increase efficiency of care in patients with odontogenic infections.

Adult-onset Still's disease initially thought to be an odontogenic infection: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: To present a case of Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) initially suspected to be odontogenic inflammation. BACKGROUND: Adult-onset Still's disease is a rare, complex autoinflammatory disease and a known cause of fever of unknown origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient had both a fever and dental pain. Following meticulous examination, the patient was diagnosed with AOSD. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should keep in mind that a patient such as AOSD may visit their clinics.

[Clinical characteristics of oral and maxillofacial space infection in patients with different ages].

PURPOSE: To analyze the general information,clinical symptoms, etiology of infection, and complications of oral and maxillofacial space infection in patients with different ages, in order to provide references for prevention of complications. METHODS: Three hundred and forty-eight patients with oral and maxillofacial space infection treated in the Oncology Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University were retrospectively analyzed from March 2007 to Feburary 2017. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 20.0 software package. RESULTS: All patients were divided into 2 groups. 152(43.68%) patients were senior and 196(56.32% ) patients were younger. In the two groups, male patients accounted for 59.69% in the younger group, 59.87% in the senior group. There was no significant difference. We also have found that label test and interval times of symptoms appeared to visit. There was no significant difference. 51.53% of the younger patients had negative bacterial culture results, which was significantly more than those of the senior groups. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with oral and maxillofacial space infection, senior patients had many similar clinical characteristics to younger patients, but senior patients suffered from more and severe complications.

A Fatal Aortic Arch Rupture Due to Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis in a 24-year-old Woman.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a life-threatening disease which often develops from a purulent infection of the oral cavity and is associated with high rates of mortality. Here we report the case of a young patient who died from an aortic arch rupture in context of DNM developed from an odontogenic infection caused by Prevotella buccae. Based on the current knowledge on this very rare vascular complication, we discuss factors that may have contributed to this fatal issue and future issues to optimize care provided to patients.

An unusual case of dental infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing a brain abscess: case report.

A brain abscess may result when dental infection reaches the brain through contiguous anatomic cavities such as the maxillary sinus, the ethmoid sinus and the orbital cavity. It is an important complication and should be treated aggressively. Such treatment would include the excision of the etiological factor, drainage and adjuvant antibiotic therapy. The present case concerns a 23 year old woman who presented at the General Hospital of Nova Iguaçu with complaints of pain in the right side of the face and was diagnosed with acute sinusitis. Antibiotics and analgesics were prescribed to treat the disease. However, after 10 days, she returned to the emergency room, presenting with proptosis of the right eyeball, subconjunctival haemorrhage, ophthalmoplegia and intense pain in the right orbit, in addition to headaches. After computed tomography was performed, she was diagnosed with a brain abscess in the frontal lobe with the involvement of the maxillary right first molar, the maxillary sinus, the ethmoid sinus and the orbital cavity. With culturing of the secretion, the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonies was evident. Treatment consisted of a craniotomy to drain the brain abscess, a Caldwell-Luc procedure to drain the right maxillary sinus, dental extraction and aggressive antibiotic therapy. After 6 weeks, the patient was discharged with no neurological sequelae.

A case of tetanus secondary to an odontogenic infection.

Tetanus is a life-threatening clinical syndrome that commonly presents with muscular spasms, rigidity, and autonomic instability. It is considered rare in industrialized countries, and tetanus occurring secondary to dental abscesses, procedures, or infections has been infrequently reported. We describe the case of a patient inadequately immunized for tetanus, who presented to the emergency department with muscular spasms, rigidity, and autonomic instability in the setting of an odontogenic infection. A clinical diagnosis of tetanus was made and subsequently managed successfully.

Can progression of odontogenic infections to cervical necrotizing soft tissue infections be predicted?

The progression of odontogenic infections to necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) is unknown. The Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) score is used to predict risk of NSTI. This study aimed to (1) estimate the frequency at which odontogenic infections progress to NSTIs, (2) measure the value of LRINEC in predicting progression to NSTI, and (3) estimate the charges associated with managing NSTIs. This retrospective cohort study enrolled all subjects admitted for the management of odontogenic infections from 2001 to 2013. The primary predictor was the LRINEC score. The primary outcome was NSTI. The secondary outcome was billing charges. Descriptive and bivariate statistical analyses were performed, with significance set at a P-value of <0.05. Of 479 odontogenic infections, (1.0%) progressed to NSTI. The mean LRINEC for NSTI was 5.8 and for odontogenic infection was 3.4 (P=0.043). LRINEC parameters for the prediction of NSTIs had 60% sensitivity, 68.4% specificity, 20% positive predictive value, and 92.9% negative predictive value. The mean charge for NSTI was $319,337 and for odontogenic infections was $19,291 (P=0.051). One percent of odontogenic infections progressed to NSTIs. The LRINEC score was not able to identify all NSTIs. NSTIs are 16 times more costly.

New admission scoring criteria for patients with odontogenic infections: a pilot study.

Odontogenic infections are often referred to the oral and maxillofacial surgical department, which can cause a dilemma for junior clinicians who have to decide whether such patients require admission. We have devised a score to be used on admission to our unit to help junior on-call staff, and designed a prospective pilot study to assess it.