Descending necrotizing mediastinitis associated with an infected dentigerous cyst

Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis Treated with Tooth Extractions following Mediastinal and Cervical Drainage

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rare condition in which oropharyngeal infection spreads to the mediastinum via the cervical fascia. Delayed diagnosis and surgery result in a high mortality rate among patients with DNM. We present a case of DNM resulting from odontogenic infection treated successfully with tooth extraction following mediastinal and cervical drainage. A 43-year-old, previously healthy Japanese man was admitted to our hospital for treatment of acute mediastinitis. Computed tomography revealed gas collection around the mid-thoracic esophagus and bilateral pleural effusion. We performed mediastinal drainage via right thoracotomy. Cervicotomy was performed on postoperative day 14 to drain a residual cervical abscess. The patient required the extraction of ten teeth over three procedures to address primary odontogenic infection before his fever resolved on postoperative day 40. Prompt diagnosis, aggressive drainage and removal of the source of infection can improve survival among patients with this life-threatening disease.

Deep neck infection after third molar extraction

Odontogenic and oropharyngeal infections are relatively common in the cervicofacial region. In rare cases, odontogenic or peritonsillar abscesses may spread through the deep fascial cervical spaces and cause life-threatening complications. Odontogenic infection is the most common cause of deep neck infections and it accounts for 43% of the cases. Early diagnosis, immediate antibiotic treatment, and surgical drainage are the basis of therapeutic success. Deep neck infections are potentially life threatening complications if they are not diagnosed in time and treated quickly. This case report presents clinical, radiological features and treatment of the spread of abscesses through cervical spaces of an unusual case of deep neck infection that was caused by the secondary infection of the root remnants after extraction.