Table 1 Clinical characteristics and radiological findings of patients
| Â | Case 1 | Case 2 | Case 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
Duration from onset to first visit | 60 days | 10 days | 28 days |
Duration from first visit to abscess diagnosis | Immediate | 5 days | 7 days |
Duration from onset to abscess diagnosis | 60 days | 15 days | 35 days |
Systemic comorbidity | Hypertension Diabetes mellitus Dyslipidemia Hypothyroidism | Rheumatoid arthritis | None |
Diagnostic tool | Blood test Enhanced CT Neck angiography CT | Blood test Neck angiography CT Pus culture | Blood test Enhanced CT MRI |
Suspicious sources of orofacial infection on panoramic image | Periapical lesion of #26 | Periodontal disease with alveolar bone loss of #26–27, 36–37 | Periodontal disease with alveolar bone loss of #26 |
Abscess location on imaging | Masseteric space Temporal space | Masticator space Submandibular space Parapharyngeal space Cervical space | Parapharyngeal space Pterygoid space |
Treatment | Antibiotics Admission | Antibiotics Extra-oral I&D Admission | Antibiotics |
Duration from abscess diagnosis to symptom improvement | 124 days | 118 days | 50 days |