mediastinitis

Acute infection of the mediastinal space, a medical emergency. Etiology: 1) esophageal rupture resulting from iatrogenic trauma 2) tumor necrosis in the mediastinum Clinical manifestations: 1) fever 2) dyspnea 3) neck pain 4) thoracic paraspinal pain 5) dysphagia 6) odynophagia Radiology: 1) chest X-ray a) pleural effusion b) pneumomediastinum 2) contrast imaging of the esophagus Management: 1) immediate surgical drainage 2) intensive antibiotic therapy 3) mortality is > 50% if diagnosis & treatment is delayed > 24 hours

General

inflammation mediastinal disease (diseases of the mediastinum)

References

Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 774