[Acute mediastinitis with fatal outcome secondary to odontogenic infection].

This article describes a patient who developed a deep neck and mediastinal infection that was initiated by a odontogenic infection. The history of the patient's illness and the surgical procedures are reviewed and the anatomic and microbial considerations of deep neck infections are discussed. Despite antibiotic therapy, cervicomediastinal drainage, tracheostomy and treatment for septic shock, the patient expired.