title: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis in the elderly patients.
abstract: Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis (DNM) is a polymicrobic, dangerous and often fatal process, arising from head or neck infections and spreading along the deep fascial cervical planes, descending into the mediastinum. It can rapidly progress to sepsis and can frequently lead to death. It has a high mortality rate, up to 40% in the different series, as described in the literature. Surgical and therapeutic management has been discussed for long time especially in an elderly patient population. The literature has been reviewed in order to evaluate different pathogenesis and evolution and to recognise a correct therapeutic management.
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mazzella
authors.affiliation: Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santagata
authors.affiliation: Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Atirge
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cecere
authors.affiliation: Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ettore
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: La Mart
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gianpaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tartaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Sciences and Wellness, University of Naples "Parthenope", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tafuri
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiologic, Surgical and Emergency Sciences, Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples/Hosp. Monaldi, Italy.
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grella
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples/Hosp. Monaldi, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perrotta
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples/Hosp. Monaldi, Piazza Miraglia, 2, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bianco
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Second University of Naples/Hosp. Monaldi, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mazzarella
authors.affiliation: Thoracic Surgery Unit, Second University of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santini
keywords: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis; Head and neck infection; Management