An unusual route of odontogenic infection from the mandible to the orbit through the facial spaces resulting in blindness: a rare case

Abstract

Orbital infection is a rare complication of odontogenic infections mostly originating from maxillary teeth. In our case, we present one of the unusual routes in which odontogenic infection of lower molar tooth has spread into the orbit. A 67-year-old uncontrolled diabetic patient was referred to the ENT department with a complaint of swollen right masseteric region and orbital infection after a dental procedure on the right mandibular third molar with a history of unsuccessful treatment in another hospital. CT and MRI showed multiple abscesses localized in masseteric and infratemporal spaces extending into orbital cavity through the inferior orbital fissure with no sinus involvement. improper treatment and poorly controlled diabetes resulted in the extensive spread of the infection. clinical and radiological re-evaluation has played a major role in the management of our case by elucidating the route of infection and localizing abscessing foci accurately enabling the team to plan the proper surgical intervention.