Oral Surgery · single question

A girl has a large maxillary facial swelling from a tooth. Most serious potential complication?

Cavernous sinus thrombosis
Buccal space abscess
Submental space infection
Ludwig's angina

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Correct answer: A. Cavernous sinus thrombosis

Maxillary posterior infections can spread via pterygomaxillary space/infratemporal fossa to cavernous sinus via emissary veins → CAVERNOUS SINUS THROMBOSIS (CST). Life-threatening! Signs: fever, headache, proptosis, chemosis, ophthalmoplegia. Requires emergency IV antibiotics.

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A girl has a large maxillary facial swelling from a tooth. Most serious potential complication?

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