Staphylococcus aureus Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis in a Healthy Adult.
Ann Thorac Surg 2020;
111:e397-e398. [PMID:
33290738 DOI:
10.1016/j.athoracsur.2020.09.058]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a severe form of mediastinitis with high mortality rates due to the rapid progression of infection into the mediastinum through tissue planes, often from a dental or pharyngeal source. We present a case of monomicrobial methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus DNM in a healthy young man who was initially misdiagnosed with strep throat. This is well described in the pediatric literature; however, DNM in adults is typically polymicrobial and occurs in those with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus and older age. Survival is excellent with early identification of mediastinitis, prompt surgical intervention, and appropriate antibiotics.
Collapse