Special diffusion pathway of pericoronitis of the third molar: A case report and literature review.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth along the jaw diffusion may be a rare diffusion pathway, which can cause osteomyelitis and maxillofacial space infection serious complications. PRESENTATION OF CASE A 62-years-old male patient presented with swelling and discomfort of the right cheek for more than 1 year. The patient was previously healthy and denied various systemic medical histories. The patient's face was asymmetric, the right cheek was swollen, and the depressed edema was seen on the surface of the masseter area of the right parotid gland. Based on the preoperative cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging results, the initial diagnosis was centralized osteomyelitis of the jaws. The surgical plan was minimally invasive extraction 48 and localized debridement of the lesion area. After three months of follow-up, the patient's symptoms were significantly improved without recurrence. DISCUSSION: Pericoronitis of wisdom teeth along the jaw diffusion is a rare diffusion pathway, which can lead to secondary jaw osteomyelitis, the treatment of which consists of lesion debridement, dead bone curettage and antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Through literature review and summary of the diagnosis and treatment process of this case, such cases should be diagnosed as early as possible and conservative treatment should be actively used to avoid the occurrence of complications. In addition, the special diffusion pathway of this case may provide a new theoretical basis for the source of infection of central jaw osteomyelitis.