Ludwig's angina, first described in 1839, is a severe infection causing rapid swelling and necrosis of the neck and the floor of the mouth, potentially spreading to other areas like the mediastinum.
A 62-year-old male with a week-long history of neck swelling and pain, following a tooth issue, presented to the emergency department with high fevers, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and significant face swelling.
Imaging revealed extensive abscesses in the neck and submandibular spaces, as well as complications including pleural effusion and a well-defined lesion near the heart, indicating a serious case requiring immediate medical attention.