[Some aspects of odontogenous phlegmon pathogenesis]

94 patients with odontogenous phlegmons of the face and neck were followed up in the clinic to study the mechanisms of antimicrobe nonspecific defense and morphologic peculiarities of acute purulent odontogenous inflammation. Bactericidal neutrophil activity in the focus of inflammation and phagocytosis were studied using lysosomal test. Their ability to adhesion, absorptive activity and the intensity of enzymic processes in cytoplasm were defined in the peripheral blood. Systemic immunity (cellular and humoral) and tissue morphology obtained in the course of surgical phlegmon treatment were studied. Elements of productive chronic inflammation accompanied by the tissue changes characteristic of acute purulent inflammation were found to be present. Characteristic dynamics of the indices in the neutrophil functional activity was noted. Correlation between the dynamics in the course of acute inflammatory disease and indices of bactericidal neutrophil activity has been established. A number of conclusions has been formulated. Immune complex nature of odontogenous phlegmons is suggested.