Ludwig's Angina
Pronunciation: LOOD-vigz an-JY-nuh
A life-threatening, rapidly spreading bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular, sublingual, and submental spaces, almost always of odontogenic origin.
Full Definition
Ludwig's angina is a surgical emergency characterised by diffuse, gangrenous cellulitis involving the three paired floor-of-mouth fascial spaces, typically secondary to infection of the lower molar teeth. The term 'angina' derives from the Latin for choking, reflecting the risk of airway compromise — it does not refer to cardiac angina. Editorial documents must maintain the possessive apostrophe in 'Ludwig's'; omission is a common error. Records should document airway assessment, microbiology, causative tooth, and anaesthetic method. The condition is named after Wilhelm Friedrich von Ludwig, and the eponym should be capitalised consistently.
Usage
Usage note: Retain the possessive apostrophe: 'Ludwig's angina', not 'Ludwigs angina'. Do not abbreviate to 'Ludwig's' without context. Distinguish from cardiac angina at every use in multidisciplinary documents.
In Context
- "The patient presented in extremis with confirmed Ludwig's angina; emergency tracheostomy was performed prior to incision and drainage." — Emergency operative note
- "The case report omitted the possessive apostrophe throughout; the editor restored 'Ludwig's angina' at all twelve instances." — Journal manuscript copyedit