An unusual case of non-traumatic pneumococcal mediastinal abscess.
A 16-month old baby developed severe respiratory failure because of acute laryngitis and required mechanical ventilation. Intubation was complicated by aspiration and development of chemical pneumonia. Following 4 days of treatment the child was successfully extubated. Thirty six hours after extubation the patient again developed respiratory failure and on chest X-ray pneumomediastinum was seen and later evidence of a mediastinal abscess. Conservative treatment, with antibiotics, effected complete cure.
D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008478:Mediastinal Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology*; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology