title: Fatal Streptococcus viridans descending mediastinitis: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Trieste School of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Berlot
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomasini
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cioffi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Illicher
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Semeraro
mesh_terms: 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