Ultrasound treatment of cellulitis in the maxillofacial region: a ten-year experience.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of therapeutic ultrasound in the treatment of cellulitis in the maxillofacial region.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

We report our experience in the management of maxillofacial cellulitis in thirty six patients using therapeutic ultrasound as an adjunct to the standard treatment. The patients were allocated to two groups: group A, treated by surgery, drugs and ultrasound therapy, and group B, where the patients were treated only surgically and medicamentously. The effect of treatment was evaluated on the basis of inflamed tissue volume reduction and normalization of tissue structure determined by ultrasonography.

RESULTS

The dynamic changes in the mean values of inflamed tissue volume indicated more rapid reduction in group A in which therapeutic ultrasound was applied. Analysis of the ultrasonographic images in group A demonstrated merging of the miliary liquid foci as early as the first day of treatment. They coalesced, and this coincided with the initiation of purulent discharge. The reduction in volume was due to the accelerated elimination of breakdown inflammatory products from the tissues.

CONCLUSION

The better results in group A compared with group B suggest that the method for ultrasound management was effective and could be recommended for use in clinical practice.