title: Infected mediastinitis secondary to perforation of superior vena cava by a central venous catheter.
abstract: We describe the first case of infected mediastinitis associated with central venous catheter insertion. The rare occurrence of this complication may be explained by the fact that it results from central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection and catheter perforation of superior vena cava. The symptoms of this complication (chest pain, dyspnoea) are not specific. Diagnosis should be confirmed by chest x-ray and computerized tomography which show hydromediastinum and pleural effusion. Removal and subsequent culture of the catheter tip will confirm infection. Appropriate antibiotic therapy, guided by sensitivities of the cultured organisms, should be commenced. Any pleural effusion should be drained by thoracocentesis, and the pleural fluid cultured. In case of fever, bacteraemia or shock, a thoracotomy to drain mediastinal and pleural effusions may be considered.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Anesthésie-Réanimation Chirurgicale II, Centre Médico-Chirurgical de la Maison du Haut-Lévêque, Groupe Hospitalier Sud, Pessac, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Valat
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pellerin
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cantini
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jougon
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delcambre
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Janvier
mesh_terms: D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000293:injuries*