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. 2016 Nov 19;11(1):449-460.
doi: 10.1515/med-2016-0080. eCollection 2016.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis in the elderly patients

Antonio Mazzella  1 , Mario Santagata  2 , Atirge Cecere  2 , Ettore La Mart  2 , Alfonso Fiorelli  1 , Gianpaolo Tartaro  2 , Domenico Tafuri  3 , Domenico Testa  4 , Edoardo Grella  5 , Fabio Perrotta  5 , Andrea Bianco  6 , Gennaro Mazzarella  5 , Mario Santini  1
Affiliations

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis in the elderly patients

Antonio Mazzella et al. Open Med (Wars). .

Abstract

Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis (DNM) is a polymicrobic, dangerous and often fatal process, arising from head or neck infections and spreading along the deep fascial cervical planes, descending into the mediastinum. It can rapidly progress to sepsis and can frequently lead to death. It has a high mortality rate, up to 40% in the different series, as described in the literature. Surgical and therapeutic management has been discussed for long time especially in an elderly patient population. The literature has been reviewed in order to evaluate different pathogenesis and evolution and to recognise a correct therapeutic management.

Keywords: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis; Head and neck infection; Management.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Algorithm of review
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