Sudden death following dental extraction as a consequence of hereditary angioedema – a case report.

Abstract

A deceased 50 year old female with a history of dental extraction of lower molar teeth two days previously was examined at post-mortem. She had some swelling around her face and neck, and her cheek on the right side felt rigid on palpation. A presumptive diagnosis of Ludwig's angina was made, based on appearance and dental history, and post-mortem examination was undertaken. On examination, no pus was noted in any of the tissue spaces in the face and neck, but the tissues generally were observed to be very oedematous. The post-mortem findings in conjunction with previous medical records established a diagnosis of hereditary angioedema. It is not uncommon in patients with this condition that dental extractions may provide a trigger leading to death, and this should be recognized by general dental practitioners and oral surgeons.