title: Determining optimum management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis with CT; experience with 32 cases.
abstract: To determine the value of helical computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis, management and outcome of patients suspected of having descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). Thirty-two patients with suspected DNM were submitted to contrast-enhanced single detector-row helical CT, four detector-row CT and 16 detector-row CT of the neck and chest. In 10/32 patients (group 1) no abnormality was observed in the neck or in the chest spaces on CT scan. These patients were all treated non-operatively. In 12/32 patients (group 2) CT showed the presence in the neck spaces of fluid collections, fasciitis, cellulitis, myositis, jugular vein thrombosis and lymphadenopathy; in all these patients the chest was unaffected. A cervical drainage was performed in ten patients. In the remaining ten patients (group 3), the neck infection involved the mediastinal spaces in all the cases and the pleural and pericardial spaces; CT findings included mediastinal cellulitis and fluid collections, pleural and pericardial effusions, venous thrombosis and lymphadenopathy. In these patients, a cervico-mediastinal drainage was performed and antibiotics were administered. The CT provides a highly accurate depiction of the presence and the spread of DNM. The CT findings and the extension of disease are important factors in order to predict for patient management and outcome.
authors.affiliation: Emergency and Trauma CT Section, Department of Radiology, Cardarelli Hospital, Via Cardarelli 9, 80131, Naples, Italy. mscaglione@tiscalinet.it
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scaglione
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giovine
authors.forename: Amelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sparano
authors.forename: Luigia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Romano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D004322:Drainage; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005490:Focal Infection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009220:Myositis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009336:Necrosis; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003287:Contrast Media