Diffuse descending necrotising mediastinitis and pleural empyema secondary to acute odontogenic infection resulting in severe dysphagia

BMJ Case Rep. 2016 Mar 24:2016:bcr2015212145. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2015-212145.

Abstract

We report a case of acute odontogenic sepsis in a 59-year-old man, presenting with diffuse, descending necrotising mediastinitis complicated by pleural empyema. Despite surviving the odds, his recovery was complicated by severe dysphagia, resulting in gastrostomy feeding for 6 months. Until now, severe dysphagia following descending necrotising mediastinitis has been unreported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology*
  • Deglutition Disorders / therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Empyema, Pleural / etiology*
  • Empyema, Pleural / therapy
  • Focal Infection, Dental / complications*
  • Focal Infection, Dental / microbiology
  • Focal Infection, Dental / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinitis / etiology*
  • Mediastinitis / pathology
  • Mediastinitis / therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Necrosis
  • Shock, Septic / complications*
  • Shock, Septic / therapy