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Ludwig's angina - Symptom

Alternative Names

Submandibular space infection; Sublingual space infection

Symptoms:

Swelling of the tissues occurs rapidly and may block the airway or prevent swallowing of saliva.

Symptoms include:

Breathing difficulty
Confusion or other mental changes
Fever
Neck pain
Neck swelling
Redness of the neck
Weakness, fatigue, excessive tiredness

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Drooling
Earache

Signs and tests:

An examination of the neck and head shows redness and swelling of the upper neck, under the chin. The swelling may reach to the floor of the mouth. The tongue may be swollen or out of place.

A CT scan of the neck may be recommended. Culture of fluid from the tissues may show bacteria.

Oropharynx

Reviewed last on: 3/2/2009
Daniel Levy, MD, PhD, Infectious Diseases, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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