An unexpected death associated with an acute dentoalveolar abscess--report of a case.

A case which was reported in the national press, is described where a fatality occurred as a result of an acute dentoalveolar abscess, and the subsequent development of septicaemia with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). A review of the English literature shows that there are no reported cases of death associated with acute dentoalveolar infection and DIC.