Head & Neck Abscess- Mnemonic

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Here is a quick mnemonic “EDEMA HEAD“ to remember about Head & Neck Abscess

This can be valuable for patients as well as medical doctors, nurses & students doing their clinical rounds. You can also find it very useful for med exams like USMLE, MBBS, NEET PG, FMGE, NExT, MCAT & NCLEX exams

Head & Neck Abscess : How To Remember Easily ?

  • E – Edema: Head and neck abscesses can cause airway compromise due to edema.
  • D – Diabetes: Head and neck abscesses are more common among patients with diabetes.
  • E – Elderly: Head and neck abscesses are more common among older adults.
  • M – Mass effect: Head and neck abscesses can cause airway compromise due to edema or mass effect.
  • A – Abscess complications: Head and neck abscesses can spread to the mediastinum, carotid sheath, skull base, and meninges.
  • H – Hot potato voice: Patients with peritonsillar abscesses may experience “hot potato voice.”
  • E – Enlarged tongue: Ludwig angina, caused by submandibular abscesses, can result in swelling of the floor of the mouth that can enlarge and displace the tongue posteriorly.
  • A – Aspiration pneumonia: Head and neck abscesses have been associated with aspiration pneumonia.
  • D – Dysphagia: Patients with peritonsillar abscesses may experience dysphagia.

Mnemonic : EDEMA HEAD

Dr. Arin Nandi

Passionate About Medical Science & Helping Future Doctors Achieve Top Ranks In Medical Exams. He is professionally a dentist as well as a public health expert from JIPMER (1), (2)working in health department
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