Table 2 Common and individual characteristics of patients
Common features | ||
 Case 1, 2, and 3 | Clinical | Severe trismus; Maximum mouth opening under 15 mm Restricted range of lateral movement of the mandible (<  7 mm) Severe pain of orofacial area including masseter and TMJ (VAS > 7) Diagnosed with TMD at first visit |
Hematological | Increased WBC, CRP | |
Radiological | Presence of suspicious sources of odontogenic infection Abscess formation observed in enhanced CT | |
 Case 1 and 2 | Facial swelling | |
Individual features | ||
 Case 1 | Reoccurrence of abscess in masseteric, temporal space | |
 Case 2 | Dyspnea due to parapharyngeal swelling Necrotizing fasciitis | |
 Case 3 | No significant facial swelling & redness Dysphagia | |