Abstract： Objective To explore the diagnosis and treatment of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). Methods We retrospectively analyzed the records of eight DNM patients treated at Tangdu Hospital between 2006 and 2009 year. There were 7 males and 1 female aged from 21-98 years with a median age of 49.5 years. The diagnostic criteria included clinical manifestations, neck and chest CT scans, and bacteriological culture. Six of the patients had odontogenic infections and six had diabetes. Antibiotic treatment, incision drainage, and other symptomatic treatments were applied. Two patients received cervical incision drainage, five received thoracotomy, and one received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Results After treatment, six patients recovered and two died of heart failure and neck vessel rupture. According to the bacterial culture, six patients presented mixed infections, and four of these presented mixed aerobic and anaerobic infections. The mean operation time was 75.6 minutes, the average volume of pus removed during the operation was 318.7 ml, and the average inpatient stay was 18 days. At six months follow-up, all six surviving patients showed improvements in quality of life. Conclusion The valid diagnosed criteria of DNM include history, sign, symptom, neck and chest CT scanning, and secretion culture.DNM mortality can be reduced by employing broad spectrum antibiotics early in treatment, individual surgical managements, and effective treatments for complicating illnesses.
Descending necrotizing mediastinitis （DNM）is a severe infection spreading from the cervical or odontoiatric region to the mediastinum through the anatomic cervical spaces. DNM is very rare but fatal. The course of the illness proceeds rapidly and the mortality rate is high. The pathogenic process is closely related to anatomical and physiological characteristic of cervix and mediastinum. The most valuable way for decreasing its high mortality rate is to give early diagnosis and treatments. Computed tomography(CT) scan is especially important method in early diagnosis.The early and enough use of broad spectrum antibiotics, individual surgical management based on neck and chest CT, such as clearing necrotic tissues,drainage and flushing are all effective methods to decrease mortality rate. Related management , such as department of stomatology, head and neck surgery, thoracic surgery,intensive care unit, and infectious department,should give cooperative therapy when necessary. At the same time, more attention should be paid to the patients who have some systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus and whose physical constitutions are very poor, which could lead to DNM and worsening. It can help to decrease the incidence rate of fatal complications and to increase cure rate.