Empyema and Cavitation After Dental Procedure

Abstract

Thoracic complications following oropharyngeal procedures have been reported in medical literature. Aspiration of foreign bodies and gastric contents, upper airway obstruction, bacterial endocarditis, descending necrotizing mediastinitis, Lemierre syndrome, and pneumomediastinum are among the most commonly reported. In this case report, we present a 67-year-old Caucasian male without significant comorbidities found to have a left lower lobe empyema and a right upper lobe cavitary lesion after having a tooth extraction 4 months prior. The organisms found within the lesions are normal constituents of the oral flora. In patients presenting with intrathoracic symptoms within the context of recent dental procedures, the clinician should be aware of procedure-related complications that although uncommon could be life-threatening.