see also: [[Lemierre's syndrome]], [[Parapharyngeal abscess]]
see: [Rosen - odontogenic and deep neck infections](x-devonthink-item://645728DB-4B36-44DC-A117-83B80B325B16?page=5)
cellulitis of submandibular space
- usually bilateral
- infection spreads rapidly into adjacent spaces including pharyngomaxillary and [[Parapharyngeal abscess|retropharyngeal spaces]] and the mediastinum
# Clinical features
- toothache
- halitosis
- neck pain
- swelling
- fever
- dysphagia
- elevation of tongue
- trismus
# Treatment
> [!TLDR] :
> - metronidazole and high dose penicillin OR flagyl + IV clinda if allergy
> - may need intubation
# causes
- **dental caries** → spreading odontogenic infection
- [[peritonsilar abscess]]
# bugs
- streptococci (40%)
- S aureus (25%)
- S epidermidis (20%)
- anarobes (40%) eg bacteroides