Ludwing’s angina. A propose of a clinical case in a child

Abstract

The Ludwing’s angina is an entity known since the times of Hippocrates. It is characterized by a sublingual, sub mandibular, and sub chin space bilateral tumefaction, painful at touch, no fluctuant and of firm consistence that can raise the floor of the mouth and the tongue, making it difficult the respiratory function, swallowing and speaking. There is a fast and silent progression of the clinical picture. It is infrequent in pediatric age. In the last decades, after the appearance of the antibiotics, they have diminished its incidence, leading to the fact that physicians in general and particularly pediatricians are not familiarized with this disease, perhaps causing delays in its precise diagnosis and treatment, favoring the occurrence of frequently fatal complications.  We describe a clinical case diagnosed in the ward H of the Provincial Teaching Pediatric Hospital Eliseo Noel Caamaño, of Matanzas, highlighting the new management tendencies and the antibiotic therapy to diminish the risk of mortal complications, especially asphyxia.