Odontogenic space infections are common in dental practice, characterized by localized abscess formation with potential to spread to adjacent anatomical spaces. Neurogenic involvement in odontogenic infections is primarily found to be associated with sensory nerve branches, however involvement of motor nerves in odontogenic space infection leading to facial asymmetry has not been widely reported. In this case report, the authors present an unusual finding of facial asymmetry due to isolated marginal mandibular nerve weakness in a patient with a submandibular space infection.
Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-023-02019-x.
Keywords: Facial asymmetry; Facial palsy; Infection; Marginal mandibular nerve; Submandibular space infection.
© The Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India 2023.