RT Book, Section
A1 Jauch, Edward C.
A1 Valdez, J. Amadeo
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181040643
T1 Buccal Space Abscess
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181040643
RD 2024/04/20
AB The  buccal  space  lies  between  the  buccinator  muscle  and  the  overlying  superficial  fascia  and  skin.  The  maxillary  2nd  and  3rd  molars  are  the  usual  nidus  of  buccal  space  infections,  eroding  either  superiorly  through  the  maxillary  alveolar  bone  or,  rarely,  inferiorly  from  the  3rd  mandibular  molar  through  the  mandibular  alveolar  bone  into  the  buccal  space.  Patients  usually  present  with  unilateral  facial  swelling,  redness,  and  tenderness  of  the  cheek.  Trismus  is  generally  not  present.  Parotid  gland  enlargement  due  to  mumps  and  suppurative  bacterial  parotitis  should  also  be  considered.  The  former  lacks  erythema  and  warmth  of  the  overlying  skin,  while  the  latter  is  accompanied  by  trismus  and  purulent  drainage  from  Stensen’s  duct.  Inspection  of  all  the  maxillary  and  3rd  mandibular  molar  teeth  is  essential  to  make  the  diagnosis.  A  CT  scan  may  help  localize  the  infection.