"Is My Face Swollen?"-Utilizing Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Diagnose Odontogenic Infections

Odontogenic infections are a common presentation in the emergency department. Most odontogenic infections can be managed with oral antibiotics, analgesia, and outpatient dentistry referrals, but cases of odontogenic perimandibular or perimaxillary abscess often require drainage and more acute specialist referral. Computed tomography is commonly utilized to differentiate simple odontogenic infections from more complex pathology. Point-of-care ultrasound has emerged as a primary imaging modality to differentiate simple cellulitis from abscess in most parts of the body, but has not historically been utilized for odontogenic infections. This case series utilizes multiple examples to demonstrate how to utilize point-of-care ultrasound to diagnose simple or complex odontogenic infections and describes the relevant sonographic anatomy for interested users.

We present the cases of 10 patients where point-of-care ultrasound successfully diagnosed odontogenic infections, in some cases allowing proper treatment without computed tomography. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Point-of-care ultrasound can be utilized to diagnose odontogenic infections and reduce computed tomography utilization in otherwise healthy, uncomplicated patients.