Descending necrotising mediastinitis: two case reports and review of the literature
E Weaver1, X Nguyen, M A Brooks
1Dept. of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Kentucky, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536, USA.
Abstract:
Descending necrotising mediastinitis is a rare and serious infection with a high mortality rate, which complicates pharyngeal or odontogenic infection. Early recognition and treatment are essential in order to minimise morbidity. Evaluation with computed tomography is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and facilitate surgical planning. In addition to prompt empirical antibiotic therapy, surgical intervention is necessary in nearly all cases. Surgical drainage and debridement may be performed through cervicotomy alone, or through combined cervicotomy and thoracotomy, depending upon the extent of disease. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may play an auxiliary role. We present two recent cases with characteristic imaging findings, and review the relevant literature.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Clinical Manifestations:
Acute Pancreatitis II: Clinical Manifestations and Management
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Cellular Injury IV: Necrosis
Necrosis
Morphological Manifestations of Necrosis
Necrotic cells show different types of morphological appearance depending on the type of tissue and infection. In coagulative necrosis, cells become anucleated and die, but their...
Pneumothorax II: Pathophysiology
