PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Elsahy, Taha G.
AU  - Alotair, Hadil A.
AU  - Alzeer, Abdulaziz H.
AU  - Al-Nassar, Sami A.
TI  - Descending necrotizing mediastinitis
DP  - 2014 Sep 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1123--1126
VI  - 35
IP  - 9
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/9/1123.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/35/9/1123.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2014 Sep 01; 35
AB  - Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rare but severe life threatening complication of oropharyngeal infections. We report a young lady who had severe pharyngitis complicated by anterior neck infection that descended to the mediastinum causing necrotizing mediastinitis. The course of her illness was complicated with septic shock, acute kidney injury, tracheo-esophageal fistula, and critical illness polyneuropathy. There was considerable delay in her diagnosis; however, she survived after aggressive surgical intervention, wide spectrum antibiotics, and appropriate intensive care management. Early and repeated chest imaging using computed tomography was vital for the detection and follow up of this case. There is a need to increase physicians’ awareness of this condition that can complicate odontogentic or pharyngeal infection, procedures, or trauma.