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Fatal necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to acute suppurative parotitis
S N Guardia1, R Cameron, A Phillips
1Department of Pathology, Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract:
A unique case of fatal necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to acute suppurative parotitis is reported. The infection was the result of synergistic necrotizing cellulitis caused by mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of necrotizing mediastinitis resulting from a descending acute suppurative parotitis. Acute parotitis should be included in the broad spectrum of infections resulting from synergism between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria in which anaerobes indigenous to the oral cavity predominate.
Insights
This case report details a rare instance of fatal necrotizing mediastinitis originating from acute suppurative parotitis. The severe infection involved a synergistic bacterial cellulitis, highlighting a new pathway for this dangerous condition.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Acute suppurative parotitis is a bacterial infection of the parotid salivary glands.
- Necrotizing mediastinitis is a severe, life-threatening infection of the mediastinum.
- Oral cavity bacteria, including anaerobes, can cause synergistic infections.