title: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis as a complication of odontogenic infection.
abstract: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a serious, life threatening complication that can occur from a common odontogenic infection. Even with advancements in antibiotics, diagnostic imaging, and surgical management, the mortality rate remains between 20 and 40%. It is imperative that the practitioner taking care of patients with odontogenic infections be sensitized to this potentially fatal complication. We report the successful management of a case of mediastinitis complicating an odontogenic infection in a 39-year-old male.
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diamantis
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: helen.giannakopoulos@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Giannakopoulos
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: University of Pennsylvania, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Foote
keywords: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis; Odontogenic infection; Oropharyngeal infection