Brain abscess and odontogenic infection - Critical Care Science (CCS)

To the Editor,

Odontogenic infections are typically limited to the dental alveolus or periodontium. However, when untreated, they can spread through fascial spaces, leading to more serious infections such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, airway obstruction, mediastinitis, endocarditis and brain abscess.⁽⁾ This is explained by the proximity of the upper roots to the maxillary sinus, which can spread the infection to the ethmoid sinus, orbital cavity and brain.⁽⁾ Brain abscess is a serious and potentially fatal infection. Its etiology is varied, and it may arise by bacterial dissemination from a primary lesion at a distant site or by direct contiguous invasion of a site adjacent to the infection.⁽⁽⁾⁽⁾ Accurate and early diagnosis is necessary, in addition to surgical intervention and high doses of antibiotics. Delayed diagnosis can lead to an unfavorable prognosis.⁽⁽⁾⁽⁾ Our objective is to present a case of brain abscess resulting from odontogenic infection.

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