Multispace Maxillofacial Space Infections Involving Orbit: Report of a Rare Case

Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2024 Apr;76(2):2095-2099. doi: 10.1007/s12070-023-04421-w. Epub 2023 Dec 30.

Abstract

Peri-apical infection is a prevalent form of odontogenic infection, typically following the path of least resistance through cancellous bone towards the cortical plate. This infection begins as cellulitis and may progress to an abscess, sometimes involving various anatomically potential spaces. While frontal space infection is a rare complication of odontogenic infection spread, it can occur in conjunction with buccal space, sub-mental space, and orbital space involvement. In this report, we present the case of a 62-year-old man with a history of tooth pain and diabetes mellitus for the past decade. The patient exhibited symptoms of swelling, multiple draining sinuses, pain, proptosis, and fever. Prompt action was taken to drain the multiple abscesses, and the causative teeth were subsequently extracted. This case illustrates one of the severe complications associated with odontogenic infection, which has the potential to be life-threatening.

Keywords: Diabetes and infections; MRI scans for odontogenic infection; Odontogenic infection; Orbital space infection; Surgical drainage.