Paratracheal abscess after tracheostomy.
Mediastinal abscess formation in the paratracheal region is a complication of tracheostomy that has previously been only sparsely reported. We present a case which highlights this complication and illustrates some of the diagnostic difficulties with which it may be associated. In this case septicaemia-developed as a secondary complication and diagnosis of the abscess was dangerously delayed because the radiographic appearance masqueraded as a left upper lobe consolidation and because its rarity led to a low index of suspicion.
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D014140:Tracheotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*