Journal of endodontics
-
Journal of endodontics · Apr 2014
Comparative StudyRole of ultrasonography in differentiating facial swellings of odontogenic origin.
Differentiating an acute, odontogenic facial swelling clinically as cellulitis or an abscess has not been thoroughly investigated in endodontics. It has been suggested in the medical and dental literature that the use of ultrasound may aid in differentiating cellulitis from an abscess. Therefore, if ultrasound were more accurate than a blind incision for drainage procedure in locating purulence, perhaps the outcome of the incision for drainage procedure would be beneficial in the resolution of odontogenic infections. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare clinical examination plus ultrasonography versus clinical examination alone in differentiating cellulitis from abscesses in patients with facial swelling of odontogenic origin. ⋯ The addition of ultrasonography to a clinical examination did not significantly increase the number of correct diagnoses.