Clinical Characteristics and Aetiological Factors of Ludwig’s Angina: A Hospital-Based Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3329/bjo.v31i2.88996Keywords:
Ludwig’s angina, dental infection, trismus. mediastinitis.Abstract
Background: Ludwig’s angina is a rapidly progressive cellulitis of the submandibular and sublingual spaces that can lead to airway compromise. Identifying its clinical features and aetiology is crucial for timely management.
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of Ludwig’s angina and their association with aetiology and patient clinical Characteristics.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January to 30 June 2014 in the Departments of Otolaryngology and Head–Neck Surgery at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital, and Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital. A total of 50 patients clinically diagnosed with Ludwig’s angina and admitted to the respective departments were included using purposive sampling. Patients with other causes of neck swelling (e.g., lymphangioma, haemangioma, cystic hygroma, lymphoma, submandibular gland neoplasm) were excluded.
Results: The mean age was 34.8±17.7 years, with the highest proportion (24%) in the 31– 40 years age group. Most patients were male (72%), from lower socioeconomic status (70%), and rural areas (82%). All patients presented with neck swelling and pain; fever (90%) and dysphagia (72%) were common. Dental infection was the primary cause (72%), significantly associated with male gender (p=0.034), lower socioeconomic status (p=0.028), rural habitat (p=0.043), and younger age (mean 30.2±14.5 vs 38.4±18.2 years, p=0.037).
Conclusion: Ludwig’s angina predominantly affects young and middle-aged males from rural and lowers socioeconomic backgrounds, with dental infections as the main aetiology. Early recognition of clinical signs and underlying risk factors is essential for effective management.
Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2025; 31(2): 62-68
Downloads
20
12
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Manuscripts submitted for publication in the Bangladesh Journal of Otorhinolaryngology must not have been previously submitted or published. Accepted papers become the permanent property of the Bangladesh Journal of Otorhinolaryngology. By submitting a manuscript, the authors(s) agree that copyrights for their articles are automatically transferred to Bangladesh Journal of Otorhinolaryngology, if and when the articles are accepted for publication.
The use, in this journal, of registered trade names, trade marks, etc. without special acknowledgement does not imply that such names, as defined by the relevant protection laws, be regarded as unprotected, and, thus, free for general use.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
