[Mediastinal abscess caused by self-mutilation of the hypopharynx].
A 44-year-old male with a non-specific psychological disturbance was diagnosed with septicemia. The patient had unsuccessfully tried to remove what he believed to be a fish bone from his throat. Computed tomography revealed a descending abscess in the mediastinum along with perforations in the pharynx and oesophagus to the mediastinum. He was treated with antibiotics and drainage of the abscess and discharged after six weeks without sequelae. Sharp foreign bodies in the pharynx should be removed professionally to avoid perforation and thus mediastinitis.
Rigshospitalet, Øre-nase- hals-kirurgisk Klinik, København, Denmark. nbb@dadlnet.dk
Nikolaj Bolsing
NB
Bak
Niels
N
Rasmussen
D000038:Abscess / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology