Severe Carbuncle of the Upper Lip and “the Danger Triangle”: A Case Report

Abstract

Some sources describe boil (also known as furuncle) as a painful, bacterial infection of a hair follicle and carbuncle as cluster of furuncles that occur when the infection spreads [1]. According to other sources, a carbuncle is a purulent-necrotic inflammation of several adjacent hair follicles and sebaceous glands, which spreads to the surrounding skin and subcutaneous tissue [2, 3].

The frequency ratio of carbuncles to furuncles is 1:6 [3]. In addition to local complications of furuncles and carbuncles of the facial and temporal area, general complications such as cavernous sinus thrombosis, meningitis, and sepsis (various forms) are also possible [2, 4-8]. For example, Rueff-Barroso et al. (2023) demonstrate in their report how infection from the area of ​​“the danger triangle” can lead to such a formidable general complication as cavernous sinus thrombosis [9].

The purpose of this article is to highlight an extremely severe carbuncle that had about 15 pustular openings and was located in the area of ​​“the danger triangle.”