Distribution of descending necrotizing mediastinitis and efficacy of distribution-specific drainage

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) resulting from oropharyngeal and cervical abscess is a life-threatening condition. This study attempted to improve our recognition of the extension and distribution of the abscess for ideal thoracic drainage.

We performed a retrospective clinical analysis of seven patients who underwent thoracic drainage for DNM with available clinical data. For mapping and classification of the distribution of the abscess, computed tomography and intraoperative findings were utilized.

To cure patients, cervical drainage and thoracic drainage were performed 14 and 11 times, respectively. The operation time for thoracic drainage and intraoperative blood loss were 141±77 min and 103±103 g, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 66±41 days. All patients are alive without recurrence. We divided the abscess distribution into nine categories including the anterior thoracic wall, according to the computed tomography and intraoperative findings. The rate of abscess descended gradually toward the lower mediastinum. Abscesses were not necessarily continuous, and skipped lesions were occasionally noted.

We were able to cure all seven patients with DNM. It might be helpful to recognize the exact distribution of the abscess and distribution-specific drainage using a new map and classification of thoracic abscess.