Cerebral Abscess of Odontogenic Origin: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Objective: Cerebral abscess of odontogenic origin is uncommon and could be associated with life threatening complications if not diagnosed and treated early. Diagnosis could be challenging therefore, detailed history of early toothache and facial swelling in addition to central nervous system (CNS) signs could be a pointer to an odontogenic cause. We report a case of cerebral abscess resulting from pericoronitis of impacted left maxillary third molar in an 18-year male with positive history of substance abuse.

Case description: An unconscious 18-year-old male adolescent with a history of toothache, facial swelling, fever, vomiting, seizures presented in our accident and emergency. Clinical and radiological examination revealed an impacted left maxillary third molar tooth, sinusitis and cerebral abscess. Patient succumbed to the disease during intracranial drainage and removal of offending tooth.

Conclusion: Oral examination is a very important step whenever cerebral abscess is suspected or diagnosed. Removal of the primary odontogenic cause should be an integral part of the overall management in a multidisciplinary setting like ours.