Mediastinitis following nasal intubation in the emergency department.
A patient who developed a retropharyngeal abscess and fatal mediastinitis following emergent nasal intubation is described. Despite aggressive surgical therapy the patient died of mediastinitis. Although mediastinitis as a complication of oral intubation has been described, mediastinitis following nasal intubation has not previously been reported.
Seaman
M
M
Department of Emergency Medicine, Valley Medical Center, Fresno, CA 93702.
Ballinger
P
P
Sturgill
T D
TD
Maertins
M
M
D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007441:Intubation, Gastrointestinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography