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Clinicians should keep in mind that the SB-OSA relationship is complex and that interindividual differences may explain the possible different SB-OSA relationships, with particular regard to the anatomical site of obstruction.

It is worth emphasizing that airway support is the priority in patients with deep neck infections. Empirical antibiotic treatments must cover gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic pathogens. Surgical exploration and drainage may be mandatory in selected cases at presentation or in cases that fail to respond to parenteral antibiotics within the first 24 to 48 hours. It is important to perform cultures during operation to establish the pathogen(s) involved and to obtain an antibiogram to tailor the antibiotic treatment.

The most frequent dental source was a periapical infection of the first mandibular molar, followed by second and third molar, respectively. Submandibular space infection involvement was diagnosed in 73 of 85 patients (85.9%), masticatory space infection in 28 (32.9%); in 56 patients (65.9%) the infection involved more than one space. Twenty-four patients (28.2%) were treated only with intravenous antibiotic therapy; 61 patients (71.8%) required both medical and surgical procedures.