["Descending necrotizing mediastinitis" due to deep neck infections. Incidence and management].
BACKGROUND
"Descending necrotizing mediastinitis" (DNM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of deep neck infections caused by the rapid downward spread of a oropharyngeal infection along the facial planes into the mediastinum.


METHODS
Between June 1997 and December 2004, 6 patients with DNM were treated in our department. The primary etiology was a peritonsillar abscess in 2 cases, a parapharyngeal abscess in 3 cases and in 1 case an odontogenic abscess. Most patients presented with risk factors such as diabetes mellitus or alcoholism, the mean age was 44.3 years and the mean duration of signs before diagnosis was 6.3 days. Thoracotomy was associated with the cervical approach in 4 cases and tracheostomy was also performed in 4 cases.


RESULTS
Four patients were successfully treated, the mean duration of hospitalisation was 48.2 days and 2 patients died from sepsis and multiorgan failure despite intensive treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Descending necrotizing mediastinitis must be detected as soon as possible. The mean symptoms are persistent complaints after treatment of oropharyngeal infections, which may be masked by analgetic treatment. Only an immediate computer tomographic scanning, aggressive surgical drainage and debridement of the neck and the mediastinum can reduce the high mortality rate.
Sandner
A
A
Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenheilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Martin-Luther-Universität, Halle-Wittenberg. annett.sandner@medizin.uni-halle.de
Börgermann
J
J
Kösling
S
S
Bloching
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D003646:Debridement; D004322:Drainage; D019115:Fasciitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D010482:Periapical Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D000039:Peritonsillar Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014139:Tracheostomy