title: Successful treatment of descending necrotizing mediastinitis.
abstract: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a fatal disease that is caused by a cervical or odontogenical infection spreading downward to the mediastinum through anatomical cervical spaces. The mortality rate of DNM is still high. We have experience of 2 cases of DNM. In case 1 patient, a cervical abscess expanded to the esophageal hiatus through the superior and posterior mediastinum. A right minithoracotomy on the triangle of auscultation was performed with a thoracoscope in order to dissect the necrotic materials and drain the abscess. In case 2 patient, a left second costal cartilage resection was performed to approach the anterior mediastinal abscess. Both patients recovered well.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular, Thoracic, and Pediatric Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, 7-5-2 Kusunoki-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan.
authors.forename: Yugo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maniwa
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshimura
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okita
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods