Efficacy of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of inflammatory swellings of odontogenic origin

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of inflammatory swellings of odontogenic origin. Study design: The study group consisted of 25 patients with inflammatory swellings of odontogenic origin. Only patients with unilateral swellings were considered for inclusion in the pathologic study group and normal contralateral side was taken as control. Results: Clinically, four cases were diagnosed as cellulitis and 21 cases as abscesses. Under ultrasonography (USG) diagnosis, six cases were diagnosed as edema and two cases as cellulitis and 15 cases as preabscess and two cases as abscesses, considering the intra operative diagnosis as the gold standard technique. The ultrasonography technique presented sensitivity of 92%. Conclusion: USG can differentiate facial edema, facial cellulitis, and dentoalveolar abscess. USG can also evaluate the extension of these swellings. It is prudent to subject patients with inflammatory swellings of the maxillofacial region to USG in order to determine the appropriate treatment plan