Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2013 , Vol 16, Issue 2
ACUTE LINGUAL BASE ABSCESS IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT: CASE REPORT
Fahri Halit BEŞİR1, Hüseyin YAMAN2, Mehmet MEMİŞ2, İbak GÖNEN3, Ethem İLHAN2
1Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyoloji Anabilim Dalı DÜZCE
2Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Kulak Burun Boğaz Anabilim Dalı DÜZCE
3Düzce Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Enfeksiyon Hastalıkları Bölümü DÜZCE
The abscess of the lingual base is a very rare condition that occurs between the third and fifth decades of life. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary especially when it leads to severe dyspnea. The most common causative agents are staphylococci and streptococci. It can be diagnosed easily by means of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Herein we presented a case of lingual base abscess due to enterococci who had been admitted with dsypnea. Our elderly case had no apparent risk factors other than poor oral hygenia. In geriatric subjects with poor oral hygiene who develop abrupt dyspnea, lingual base abscess should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Keywords : Tongue Diseases/Therapy; Lingual Base; Abscess; Oral Hygiene; Aged