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Oral Disease > Oral infections - bacteria and spread > Flashcards

Oral infections - bacteria and spread Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the classical signs of acute inflammation?

A 
Swelling
Redness
Pain or tenderness
Heat
Loss of function
May also be systemic signs such as pyrexia, malaise, regional lymphadenopathy
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2
Q

What is an abscess?

A

A pus filled pathological cavity
Forms as part of the inflammatory response to acute infection
Acute exacerbations of chronic inflammation can also occur, followed by periods of quiescence

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3
Q

How to treat an abscess?

A

Drain it

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4
Q

How to differentiate abscesses and cellulitis?

A

Fluctuance to gentle palpation
2 fingers either side of swelling, press in the middle, if filled with fluid = it will bounce to other fingers = fluctuance
If no fluctuance = feels hard or does not bounce = cellulitis is present = does NOT need drainage

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5
Q

Radiographs to diagnose abscesses?

A

Diagnosis of an acute dentoalveolar abscess = usually by clinical means

Radiographs do not typically show any change in the periapical tissues
May be bcos it takes 10 days for sufficient bone loss to occur to be detectable on an intra-oral film

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6
Q

What is the earliest radiological sign of abscesses?

A

Widening of the periodontal ligament space, followed by loss of a normal lamina dura of the socket

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7
Q

Where does pus present from an apical abscess?

A

Pus from an acute dentoalveolar abscess takes the track of least resistance through the bone and to the nearest epithelial surface
Usually on the buccal aspect of the mx/md alveolus where the bone is thinnest
(but can be palatally/lingually)

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8
Q

Treatment principles of acute infection - general measures?

A

General measures:

  • Admission to hospital if systemically unwell (malaise, pyrexia, tachycardia, hypotension) = need IV antibiotics, surgical drainage — NSAIDs for pain relief
  • Analgesia
  • Control of infection - typically amoxicillin and metronidazole are used in combo (changes made depending on microbiological results)
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9
Q

Treatment principles of acute infection - local measures?

A

Local measures:

  • Removal of the cause but can be easier to drain and prevent spread in the acute phase (e.g. extraction of non-vital or hopeless prog tooth, foreign bodies, salivary calculi)
  • Drainage - surgical incision
  • Prevention of spread e.g. antibiotics
  • Restoration of function when things settle
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10
Q

What indicates pus formation?

A

Reddening, fluctuance and a point of maximum tenderness

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11
Q

How to drain an abscess?

A

Adequate anaesthesia - 2% lignocaine with adrenaline injected into the overlying mucosa, not into the abscess cavity
Horizontal incision parallel to the occlusal surface of the teeth 1-2cm in length (remember local anatomy - nerves)
Use a no 11 blade held backwards with an upwards sweep
Open abscess cavity with artery forceps to get more drainage
Hot salt M/W to encourage pus to drain

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12
Q

When may drainage through an incision not be suitable?

A

When pus has to pass through several tissues planes to escape e.g. deep neck abscesses, you can insert a drain into the abscess cavity with is exteriorized into the mouth or onto the skin surface

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13
Q

How to prevent spread of infection?

A

Drainage, use of antimicrobials and rest (difficult in orofacial region, but trismus can help it)

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14
Q

Why review the pt post tx of abscess?

A

Review pt after the acute phase to ensure things have settled and function has been restored
Sometimes trismus can persist `and need for tx e.g. therabite

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15
Q

Typical bacteria causing abscesses?

A 
Black pigmented anaerobes
Fusoacterium
Anaerobic cocci
Streptococcus
Non-pigmented anaerobes
Eubacterium
Spirochaetes
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16
Q

Periodontal abscess symptoms?

A

Pain
Swelling - small localised to diffuse
Lymphadenopathy and fever
Facial or neck cellulitis rare

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17
Q

What can cause a periodontal abscess?

A

Tooth usually vital

  • Pre-existing periodontal pockets that become occluded (foreign body)
  • Trauma to periodontium
  • 2ndry infection of lateral periodontal cyst
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18
Q

Periodontal abscess - radiological features and microbial aetiology?

A

Radiolucency on lateral aspect of root

Microbial aetiology - same as chronic perio and candida

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19
Q

When can multiple perio abscesses occur?

A

Multiple perio abscesses seen in poorly controlled diabetes

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20
Q

Tx of periodontal abscesses?

A

Drain and debride

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21
Q

Streptococcal gingivostomatitis?

A

Rare in non-compromised hosts
- Most frequently follows tonsillitis
Severe inflammation of gingivae with pain

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22
Q

What causes Streptococcal gingivostomatitis? Complications of this?

A

Caused by Strep pyogenes
Complications:
- Fasciitis, tissue destruction, rheumatic heart disease, nephritis

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23
Q

Streptococcal gingivostomatitis treatment?

A

Penicillin

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24
Q

Acute ulcerative gingivitis risk factors?

A

Poor OH, smoking, stress

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25
Acute ulcerative gingivitis signs/symptoms? | Microbial aetiology?
Ulceration and destruction of interdental papilla - Invasion of tissue Halitosis, bad taste, malaise, lymphadenopathy Causes: - Treponema vincentii - Fusobacterium species - Prevotella intermedia
26
Cancrum oris - what causes it?
``` Ususally preceded by ANUG and recent debilitating illness - Infection Viral (measles) Bac infec (tuberculosis, scarlet fever) Parasitic infec (malaria) - Immune suppressive drugs/disease - Malnutrition ```
27
Cancrum oris - what bacteria causes it?
``` F.necrophorum P.intermedia T.vincentii T.denticola T.forsythia Alpha streptococci ```
28
Tuberculosis?
Increasing incidence in UK particularly among immigrants Rare in oral cavity - Usually 2ndry to pulmonary TB - Cough or cervical lymphadenopathy
29
Tuberculosis presentation and what can it cause?
Oral ulceration on tongue | Can result in delayed healing after tooth extraction or cause 2ndry osteomyelitis
30
Tuberculosis investigations?
Biopsy - Ziehl Neelson stain Culture on LJ but takes 4-6 weeks Serology, PCR (main way) reactive T cells
31
Tuberculosis histology?
Epitheliod granulomas = necrotic tissue | Giant cells and caseation (cheese like consistency)
32
Syphilis - primary lesion signs?
Primary lesion - Chancre on lip or tongue - Ulcer, local oedema, painless - Smear shows spirochaetes - Lymphadenopathy
33
Secondary syphilis - when does it occur?
6 weeks after healing
34
Secondary syphilis signs?
Snail track ulcers = long, spread out ulcers Lymphadenopathy Skin rash
35
Tertiary syphilis signs?
Rare Gumma (= tissue nodule with a necrotic centre) on palate, tongue or tonsil - Firm, necrotic centre surrounded by inflamed tissue - Leukoplakia on dorsum of tongue and increased incidence of oral cancer
36
Congenital syphilis - dental signs?
Hutchinson's incisors = dents in incisors | Mulberry molars = multiple crowns to molars
37
Gonorrhoea oral signs and symptoms?
``` Pharynx and any part of oral mucosa can be affected Pain and lymphadenopathy Variable appearance - Ulceration - Oedema - Pseudomembranes ```
38
How to diagnose gonorrhoea? What causes it?
Smear or culture to diagnose Neisseria gonorrhoea
39
Actinomycosis
Lumps at angle of mandible
40
What causes actinomycosis? How does this bacterium present?
Actinomyces israeli Gram positive branched organism Locules of pus surrounded by fibrous septa
41
Tx for actinomycosis?
Surgical drainage and debridement | Antibiotics 6-8 weeks
42
Acute bacterial sialadenitis?
Ascending infection - mainly parotid Usually failure of secretion - Sjogren's syndrome, gland pathology, sialolithiasis, drugs Unilateral, firm, red swelling, extreme pain, trismus, milking duct releases pus
43
Microbial causes of Acute bacterial sialadenitis?
Oral streptococci Oral anaerobes Staphylococcus aureus
44
Treatment for acute bacterial sialadenitis?
Amoxicillin, flucloxacillin | Exploration - sialography after resolution, possibly surgical exploration
45
Angular cheilitis causes?
Haematologyical deficiency - Fe, vitamin B2, 3, 6, 12 | Candida sp, staph aureus (strep pyogenes)
46
Tx for angular cheilitis?
Miconazole, nystatin, flusidic acid depending on the cause
47
What determines the spread of dentoalveolar infections?
The site of origin and the surrounding tissue planes that are limited by fascial layers and muscle insertions Position of the apices of the originating tooth relative to muscles and fascia will influence the clinical presentation
48
How do fascial planes and tissue spaces impact the spread of infection?
Neck is surrounded by multiple layers of fascia of which the deep cervical fascia is the most important Fascial layers split around structures to form tissue paces Fascial planes and tissue spaces determine the spread of infection
49
What are the 3 separate parts to the deep cervical fascia?
The investing layer = most external - attaches to L and B maxilla, M of M, parotid gland, SCM and trapezius Visceral layer - Forms fibrous barrier outside of throat - Outside pharynx constrictor muscles Prevertebral fascia - Wraps around muscles external to the spine
50
What impacts the spread of infection in the mandible?
Depends on the relation of the tooth to the insertion of 2 muscles - buccinator and mylohyoid Buccinator attaches to lateral (buccal) cortex of mandible, adjacent to molars Mylohyoid attaches to mylohyoid ridge, on the medial (lingual) cortex Abscesses that track laterally, above buccinator point in the mouth Below buccinator point onto the facial skin Abscesses the track medially above mylohyoid point in the sublingual space (floor of mouth) Below mylohyoid point into the submandibular space
51
Where can infections from the lower 7 and 8 track to?
Track posteriorly into either the masticator space or the parapharyngeal/retropharyngeal spaces A sub-masseteric abscess causes profound trismus and the pt will not be able to open mouth Spread into parapharyngeal and/or retropharyngeal spaces is dangerous due to possible airway compromise and tracking of pus into the check via the retropharngeal space
52
How can infection spread in the maxilla?
Most maxillary dental abscesses track buccally as bone is thinnest here, to point in the mouth BUT abscesses arising from upper laterals and palatal roots of 1st molars can paint palatally Relationship between tooth apices and the levator anguli oris and buccinator muscles determines whether the abscess points in oral cavity or the skin of the cheek Apex of the upper canine tooth can be situated above the origin of the levator anguli oris = infec can present at the medial canthus of the eye, deep to levator labii superioris
53
Deep neck space infection?
Rare Most are dental in origin Typically from mandibular 7 and 8 as their apices are often below the mylohyoid muscle
54
Deep neck space infection signs/infection?
``` Fever Pain Sore throat Difficult or painful swallowing (dysphagia) Trismus ```
55
How to manage deep neck space infections?
Same as intraoral but defo: - Airway management - Intravenous antibiotic - Surgical drainage
56
Complications of orofacial infection?
Cavernous sinus thrombosis - Surrounds pituitary gland - Blood from orbits, skull vault and cerebral hemispheres - Infec from upper anterior tooth can rarely drain into cavernous sinus = venous thrombosis
57
Cavernous sinus thrombosis signs/symptoms?
Opthalmoplega (no eye movements) Ptosis (drooping upper lid) Proptosis (bulging eye) Chemosis (red eye)
58
When are antibiotics indicated?
When systemic symptoms present - Fever, malaise, nausea Spreading infecs Chronic infec despite drainage e.g. actinomycosis If immuno or medically compromised Conditions difficult to resolve without or that speed up recovery - osteomyelitis, ANUG, sialadenitis
59
How to use antimicrobials?
Aimed at organism present Dose achieve 4-8 times the minimum inhibitory conc in blood Must be present long enough to penetrate the site - but not too long
60
Selection of antimicrobial agent?
Broad spec agents - Associated with rise in C.difficile disease = care when Rx to elderly and GI disease (including proton pump inhibitors and reflux disease) Empirical use - Main drugs are amoxicillin, pen V, metronidazole and erythromycin - Clindamycin, co-amoxiclav, clarithromycin no advantage
61
When to not prescribe antimicrobials?
Do not prescribe for - Pulpitis - Prevention of dry socket (unless pt immunocompromised in difficult extraction)
62
Why may antibiotics fail?
Agent does not reach site - Inadequate drainage - Poor blood supply - Presence of foreign body - Inadequate duration Impaired defences - Immunocompromised (bacteriostatic agent used) Inappropriate agent - resistance - Inherit resistance or acquired (mutation, plasmids) Poor pt compliance

Oral Disease (42 decks)

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