CLINICAL CASES Free

Minerva Anestesiologica 2001 October;67(10):731-6

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis. Clinical experience and review of the literature

Pellis T., Berlot G., Giacomarra V., Bregant M.

Istituto Polidisciplinare di Anestesia Rianimazione e Terapia Antalgica - Trieste *Istituto di Clinica Otorinolaringoiatrica - Trieste

The occurrence of a Descending Necrotizing Mediastinistis (DNM) usually is a consequence of oropharyngeal infections, which ultimately invade the mediastinum via the cervical fasciae. The clinical course is rapid and often fatal, and is associated with severe systemic symptoms, including fever and hypotension. In these cases, an aggressive surgical approach associated with an appropriate antibiotic treatment is mandatory. Personal experience in the treatment of DNM is presented and a review of the current literature is made; moreover an operative algorhythm is presented.