Descending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to a dental infection

Authors

  • Edson Martins de Oliveira Junior Divisão de Odontologia do Hospital Universitário da USP
  • Raphael Teixeira Moreira Div. de Odontologia do Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz, Univ. de Pernambuco
  • Tayguara Cerqueira Cavalcante Div. de Odontologia do Hospital Obras Sociais da Irmã Dulce, Salvador

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.%25y.26085

Keywords:

Mediastinitis, Therapeutics.

Abstract

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a rare type of deep infection of the
soft tissues of the face, originating from cervical and oral infections, typically
dental infections. It is associated with high mortality, due to its high invasive
potential and the fact that the diagnosis is often delayed. We report the case
of a 42-year-old female patient presenting with severe trismus, fever, purulent
intraoral drainage, dysphagia, and dysphonia, accompanied by edema and
redness in the cervical region. She was diagnosed with necrotizing descending
mediastinitis secondary to a dental infection after the extraction of a mandibular
third molar. The patient underwent surgical drainage and intravenous antibiotic
therapy. Despite the development of septicemia, the evolution was favorable
and the patient was discharged on post-admission day 20. Early and accurate
diagnosis, together with prompt treatment, is imperative for better outcomes
in this rare condition.

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Published

2012-03-30

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2012)

Section

Article / Clinical Case Report

License

Authors of articles published by Autopsy and Case Report retain the copyright of their work without restrictions, licensing it under the Creative Commons Attribution License - CC-BY, which allows articles to be re-used and re-distributed without restriction, as long as the original work is correctly cited.

How to Cite

Oliveira Junior, E. M. de, Moreira, R. T., & Cavalcante, T. C. (2012). Descending necrotizing mediastinitis secondary to a dental infection. Autopsy and Case Reports, 2(1), 37-42. https://doi.org/10.4322/acr.%y.26085