Ludwig’s Angina is named after Karl Friedrich Willhelm Von Ludwig, a German physician. Ludwig’s Angina or Angina Ludovici, is caused on the soft tissues of the floor of the mouth and neck or beneath the tongue, due to a bacterial infection. They are a type of cellulitis that is caused after a tooth abscess, which is a dental infection caused at the roots of the teeth, or they are also caused by an injury to the mouth. Ludwig’s angina is common among adults and they are not commonly found among children. But young children with dental infection can be affected by Ludwig’s Angina, as dental infection is considered to be the main reason for this disease. An infection of the gums surrounding the lower molars is also a main reason foe causing Ludwig’s Angina.
Even healthy people are susceptible to this disease and it is advisable to get dental advice at the first sign of pain in the tooth, for bleeding gums, swelling at the jaw or sensitivity to anything hot or cold. Some conditions like alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, neutropenia, aplastic anemia and acute glomerulonephritis, predispose patients to ludiomil Ludwig’s Angina.
Symptoms of Ludwig’s Angina
Symptoms include swelling of the mouth tissues that might block the airway and prevent swallowing. Breathing difficulty, fever, a swelling in the neck, redness in the neck, neck pain, confusion, mental changes, weakness, fatigue and excessive tiredness are the common symptoms of Ludwig’s Angina. Some of the other symptoms are difficulty in swallowing, drooling, pain in the ear and slurred speech caused due to the tongue being pushed backward and upward.
Treatment for Ludwig’s Angina
Antibiotics
Penicillin is used to fight the bacterial infection and they are injected into the vein. The injection should be continued till the symptoms of Ludwig’s Angina go away. Sometimes oral antibiotics are prescribed and they have to be continued till the tests show that the bacterial infection is cured.
Tracheotomy
When the swelling in the neck blocks the airway, the patient finds it difficult to breathe so they need medical help. Sometimes when the case is severe a surgery called Tracheotomy is conducted to make an opening in the neck to reach the windpipe.
Nasotracheal Tube
The Nasotracheal tube insertion involves the insertion of a breathing tube into the lungs of the patient through their nose or mouth. This helps them breathe better.
Dental Treatment
If the Ludwig’s Angina is caused by a tooth infection then a dental treatment is required.
Surgery
In a few cases surgery is done to remove the fluids that cause the swelling in the neck. A CT scan is recommended for patients who have taken antibiotics as the X-Rays only show the swelling of the submandibular soft-tissue and they do not show a clear picture whether the patient needs a surgical draining.
Ludwig’s Angina becomes life threatening when left untreated. But they can be cured with proper antibiotics and by protecting the airway. Angina pectoris can also be caused in severe cases of Ludwig’s Angina.