Another cause of difficult airway in an elderly patient: Tongue‐base abscess. (7th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Binar, Murat; Arslan, Fatih; Aydin, Umit
• Is Part Of: Gerodontology. Volume 35:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 155
• Page End: 158
• Publication Date: 2018-05-07
• Subjects: airway obstruction -- difficult intubation -- oral hygiene -- tongue‐base abscess; Older people -- Dental care -- Periodicals; 617.60846
• DOI: 10.1111/ger.12330
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0734-0664

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: An abscess of the tongue base is rare, but it can be a potentially life‐threatening situation in elderly patients. Case report: A 72‐year‐old male patient presented with mid‐anterior neck swelling, odynophagia, poor oral hygiene and severe dyspnoea. After a difficult intubation, the muscles were dissected via a submental suprahyoid approach and the abscess was drained. Conclusion: Poor oral hygiene may predispose elderly patients to tongue‐base abscesses. An early decision should be made for surgical drainage due to the risk of airway obstruction.