A Case of Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis Successfully Treated by Transcervical Drainage

Abstract

This report presents a case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) that was effectively treated by means of a transcervical drainage approach. The patient was an 81-year-old female. She visited our hospital with cold-like symptoms, such as a high fever and a sore throat. We suspected that she might have DNM based on the findings of both a chest X-ray and computed tomography. An abscess was also observed on her neck, and therefore we diagnosed the patient to have DNM. We performed antibiotic therapy and surgical drainage by means of a transcervical approach. The treatment proved to be effective and she was discharged two weeks after the operation.