INTRODUCTION: Acute descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a severe septic inflammation of the mediastinum with necrosis, which progrediates rapidly and leads to death without adequate surgical treatment in 80% of cases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 17 patients were treated with acute DNM between 1999 and 2012 at the Thoracic Surgical Department of Koranyi National Institute and Semmelweis University of Hungary. The infection source was primarily in the head-neck region with dental infections in eight cases, retro/parapharyngeal abscess in four patients, primary collar phlegmone and abscess in one case and two retrotonsillar abscesses. Further, in one case there was a previous operation (mediastinoscopy) in the history and in another case there was "difficult intubation process" (not recognized trachea-laesion) mentioned during abdominal operation. Primary exploration was performed from the neck in nine cases, thoracotomies plus collar incisions were carried out in four cases, athoracotomy only was done in one and orofacial exploration in further three patients. Disease progression could be evaluated by computer tomography which had to be followed by immediate surgery. RESULTS: Four patients needed two operations, five patients underwent exploration three times, while three patients needed 4 interventions four times. More than one anatomical region was explored in 70% of the cases. Based on our experience prognosis is affected by the time elapsed between detection and surgical intervention, age of the patient and comorbidites such as diabetes mellitus. We lost nine patients (53%), eight patients recovered and symptom free (47%). CONCLUSIONS: Successful treatment is based on early diagnosis, urgent elimination of the primary source, adequate exploration of the cervico-facial region, debridement, collar and upper mediastinal drainage. If the inflammation spreads below the azygos vein or the aortic arch, a right thoracotomy should be performed with wide mediastinal exploration, debridement, and thoracic suction-lavage drainage. Treatment should be completed with broad spectrum and targeted antibiotics as well as organ support. Mortality and morbidity can be reduced with prompt and aggressive therapy.
INTRODUCTION: Acute descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a severe septic inflammation of the mediastinum with necrosis, which progrediates rapidly and leads to death without adequate surgical treatment in 80% of cases. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 17 patients were treated with acute DNM between 1999 and 2012 at the Thoracic Surgical Department of Koranyi National Institute and Semmelweis University of Hungary. The infection source was primarily in the head-neck region with dental infections in eight cases, retro/parapharyngeal abscess in four patients, primary collar phlegmone and abscess in one case and two retrotonsillar abscesses. Further, in one case there was a previous operation (mediastinoscopy) in the history and in another case there was "difficult intubation process" (not recognized trachea-laesion) mentioned during abdominal operation. Primary exploration was performed from the neck in nine cases, thoracotomies plus collar incisions were carried out in four cases, athoracotomy only was done in one and orofacial exploration in further three patients. Disease progression could be evaluated by computer tomography which had to be followed by immediate surgery. RESULTS: Four patients needed two operations, five patients underwent exploration three times, while three patients needed 4 interventions four times. More than one anatomical region was explored in 70% of the cases. Based on our experience prognosis is affected by the time elapsed between detection and surgical intervention, age of the patient and comorbidites such as diabetes mellitus. We lost nine patients (53%), eight patients recovered and symptom free (47%). CONCLUSIONS: Successful treatment is based on early diagnosis, urgent elimination of the primary source, adequate exploration of the cervico-facial region, debridement, collar and upper mediastinal drainage. If the inflammation spreads below the azygos vein or the aortic arch, a right thoracotomy should be performed with wide mediastinal exploration, debridement, and thoracic suction-lavage drainage. Treatment should be completed with broad spectrum and targeted antibiotics as well as organ support. Mortality and morbidity can be reduced with prompt and aggressive therapy.