Descending necrotizing mediastinitis with Lemierre's syndrome

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2017 Nov;65(11):661-663. doi: 10.1007/s11748-016-0742-0. Epub 2017 Feb 1.

Abstract

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis is a severe infection of the mediastinum. Lemierre's syndrome manifests as thrombophlebitis in the cervical veins, which is caused by a neck infection. A 50-year-old woman had a fever with a 13-day history of neck pain. CT showed a deep neck abscess with vertebral vein thrombosis and mediastinal abscesses. Multiple small pulmonary nodules were found, suggesting septic pulmonary embolism. Emergency surgery for bilateral cervical and mediastinal drainage was performed, and antibiotics and anticoagulation agent was administered. Edoxaban was required to clear vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolization.

Keywords: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis; Lemierre’s syndrome; Septic pulmonary embolization.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drainage / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lemierre Syndrome / complications*
  • Lemierre Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Mediastinitis / diagnosis
  • Mediastinitis / microbiology*
  • Mediastinitis / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Streptococcal Infections / therapy
  • Streptococcus constellatus / isolation & purification*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents