Articles in Ophthalmology & ENT (3)

Ludwig angina is a rapidly progressive, potentially fatal bilateral cellulitis of the submandibular, sublingual, and submental spaces typically originating from odontogenic infections of the lower molars. The gold-standard diagnostic approach relies on a clinical airway assessment followed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the neck and thorax once the airway is secure, while first-line management requires immediate airway stabilization, high-dose intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics, and prompt surgical decompression.

Central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is an acute ischemic stroke of the eye characterized by sudden, painless, profound unilateral vision loss caused by thromboembolic or atherosclerotic blockage of the central retinal artery. Gold-standard diagnosis relies on urgent dilated fundoscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT) alongside immediate inflammatory markers (ESR and CRP) to exclude giant cell arteritis, while acute management demands immediate hyperacute stroke evaluation for thrombolysis within a strict 4.5-hour therapeutic window.

Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an ophthalmic emergency characterized by a sudden obstruction of aqueous humor outflow, precipitating a dangerous spike in intraocular pressure, corneal edema, and ischemic optic neuropathy. Diagnosis is confirmed via Goldmann applanation tonometry and gonioscopy, while definitive management requires urgent medical reduction of intraocular pressure followed by bilateral laser peripheral iridotomy.