[Mediastinitis caused by odontogenic anaerobic bacteria]

Anaerobic odontogenic mediastinitis appeared to be on the increase. The case described had a favourable outcome. The aetiology and pathology of this disease, the dreadful prognosis of which was a mortality rate of 50%, were discussed. The aggravating factors appeared to be general, these patients presenting a particular predisposition, due to steroids and malnutrition, and anatomical, as the cellulitis spread along cervical fascial planes. The treatment always required was mediastinal surgical drainage by a transcervical approach or by thoracotomy, the association of three antibiotics (a penicillin with an imidazole, an aminoglycoside or a macrolide) and a high energy and nitrogen intake.