Fatal Streptococcus viridans descending mediastinitis: case report and review of the literature.
Mediastinitis is a life-threatening complication of cardiac, neck and oesophageal surgery. It has also been reported following upper digestive and respiratory procedures and as a consequence of oesophageal perforation following the ingestion of foreign bodies. Much more infrequently, mediastinitis can occur in association with oropharyngeal or cervical infections. We describe the case of a patient with fatal mediastinitis and septic shock. The onset of mediastinitis was preceded by a 2-day course of sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.
Berlot
G
G
Department of Anaesthesia, Trieste School of Medicine, Italy.
Tomasini
A
A
Cioffi
V
V
Illicher
C
C
Semeraro
A
A
D000368:Aged; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000382:microbiology; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000382:microbiology*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed