[Fungi in the mediastinum: rare, but relevant].
Fungal infections of the mediastinum are rare. There are five forms to be differentiated: (i) hematogenous fungal infection of the mediastinum after fungemia; (ii) postoperative fungal infection after cardiosurgical sternotomy; (iii) as special form of a descending necrotizing fasciitis; (iv) infection of the mediastinum per continuitatem; (v) fungal infection of the posterior mediastinum after esophageal perforation. In the surgical department, University of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, five patients with a fungal mediastinitis were treated during a period of 10 years. Three patients suffered from a descending mediastinitis, one patient from a fungal infection after pseudarthrosis of the sternum (postoperatively after cardiosurgery). The section results of one other patient with pulmonary aspergillosis showed a complete invasion of the mediastinum by Aspergillus fumigatus.
Kujath
P
P
Klinik für Chirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany. kujath-luebeck@t-online.de
Scheele
J
J
Esnaashari
H
H
Shekarriz
H
H
Bouchard
R
R
D005658:Fungi / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*