Polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis with mediastinitis after endotracheal intubation

D C Lu1, S C Chang, H C Chen

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Lotung Poh-Ai Hospital, I-Lan, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Insights

Traumatic endotracheal intubation can lead to rare polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis and mediastinitis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing this severe complication.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • Polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis and mediastinitis are rare complications.
  • Traumatic endotracheal intubation can lead to serious infections.

Observation:

  • A 54-year-old man with nasopharyngeal carcinoma developed pericardial effusion and tamponade post-intubation.
  • Pericardiocentesis revealed purulent fluid with mixed aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
  • Bronchoscopy identified a tracheal laceration.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with polymicrobial bacterial pericarditis and mediastinitis.
  • Treatment involved aggressive antibiotics and pericardial drainage.
  • The initial infection improved, but the patient succumbed to a subsequent nosocomial infection.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for severe infectious complications following traumatic intubation.
  • Early recognition and intervention are critical for patient outcomes.
  • Upper airway flora can cause serious infections in the pericardial and mediastinal spaces.

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