Ludwig’s angina is associated with serious complications, including inflammation in the chest cavity (mediastinitis), pus in the chest cavity (thoracic empyema), inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), fluid around the heart (pericardial tamponade), and sepsis.
The most common cause of Ludwig’s angina is a dental infection, such as an abscess in the tooth roots or severe gum disease (gingivitis). However, it can also occur in patients that are immunosuppressed, such as HIV/AIDS and patients who have received organ or bone marrow transplants.