title: [Computed tomography in acute mediastinitis].
abstract: Acute mediastinitis (AM) has become a rare disease since the introduction of antibiotics but still has an unchanged high mortality-rate if the diagnosis is not readily established, and adequate therapy is performed. Clinical signs of AM are often uncharacteristic, plain chest films do not allow a reliable diagnosis because of lack of sensitivity as well as specificity. In a retrospective study the CT-results of 23 patients clinically suspect for AM were evaluated in order to determine the diagnostic value of CT-findings were compared to operation, percutaneous drainage procedures and clinical course. In 15 patients the diagnosis of AM was established correctly by CT, 8 patients were reported normal. Diffuse infiltration of mediastinal fatty tissue was found in 3 patients, mediastinal fluid collections were demonstrated in 12 (infected hematomas = 4, abscess formation = 8). The extension of inflammatory changes could be exactly assessed by CT in all patients.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Radiodiagnostik Wien.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schurawitzki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schratter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stiglbauer
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
vernacular_title: Computertomographie bei akuter Mediastinitis.