Head and Neck Infections in Diabetic Patients

Globally, the burden of diabetes is increasing very rapidly as is the diabetic related complications. Infections in diabetes mellitus are relatively more common and serious. Diabetic patients run the risk of acute metabolic decompensation during infections, and conversely patients with metabolic decompensation are at higher risk of certain invasive infections. Infections in diabetic patients result in extended hospital stays and additional financial burden.1 Medicine in modern world has seen tremendous advancements like newer generation of anti-diabetic drugs, modern insulin therapy, better intensive care facilities and more potent antibiotics. Despite all these advancements, infection still remains one of the major cause for increasing morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients2 . This article focuses on the common diabetes related infections in the Head and Neck region of the body. Some of the life threatening infections like malignant otitis externa and rhino-cerebral mucormycosis affect this region of body.