Right-face Cellulitis Attributable to a Nonodontogenic Infection in a Patient with Diabetes Mellitus - A Case Report

Abstract

Odontogenic infections often occur with dental caries and periodontal disease and commonly have local and systemic implications. Diagnosing a nonodontogenic orofacial infection related to an odontogenic infection is difficult. Both odontogenic and nonodontogenic infections may extend to potential fascial spaces in the orofacial area or deep in the head and neck. The latter complication is often life threatening. Here, we report a case in which a 54-year-old male with diabetes mellitus (DM) had painful swelling of the right cheek. No odontogenic infection source was found after oral examination. Cellulitis was diagnosed, and the infection was determined to be in the right buccal, submandibular, and submental space. After sufficient antibiotic treatment, pus was drained from the right oral commissure, and Klebsiella pneumonia was determined. The patient's history showed that he had DM and suffered a scratch to his oral right commissure as a result of an accident, which explained the nonodongenic cellulitis.