HEAD, EYE, EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT
EMERGENCIES
COMPLICATIONS
■ Myocarditis, cardiac dysrhythmias seen after 1–2 weeks of illness
■ Neurologic toxicity: Facial, pharyngeal paralysis, proximal extremity muscle
weakness
■ Aspiration, septicemia
■ Mortality rate of 5–10%
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
NUMBERINGTEETH
■ Primary/deciduous teeth (from about 8–12 years old)
■ Top (going right to left) A–J
■ Bottom (going left to right) J–T
■ Secondary/permanent teeth
■ Top (going right to left) 1–16
■ Bottom (going left to right) 17–32
Hint:If unsure, use AP X-ray to evaluate for a nonerupted developing perma-
nent tooth.
Dental Caries/Pulpitis
SYMPTOMS/EXAM
■ Dull pain worsened with stimuli
■ If tenderness with percussion or fever, consider pulpitis or abscess.
■ Usually associated with poor hygiene
■ May have referred pain to ear, eye, temple, or neck
TREATMENT
■ Dental blocks or other analgesics
■ Antibiotics
■ Dental referral
COMPLICATIONS
These apply for almost all dental space infections:
■ Ludwig angina
■ Abscess formation
■ Associated facial cellulitis/abscess
■ Intracranial invasion
■ Descending necrotizing mediastinitis
■ Airway compromise
Pericoronitis
ETIOLOGY
Gingival flap gets inflamed due to food impaction over a partially erupted or
impacted tooth. Usually involves the gums over a partially erupted third
(last) molar.