Descending @entity39 mediastinitis (DNM) is a serious disease of the mediastinum; early diagnosis and treatment may lower the high mortality rate of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To know the frequency of DNM in an intensive respiratory care unit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, transversal, and observational trial of a series of consecutive cases. In a period from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2000, among 1,560 @entity1 , we found 17 @entity1 with DNM according with selection criteria. RESULTS: Fifteen males and two females, mean age 38.9 years SD +/- 14.5 years, were studied. In 10, tracheostomy was practiced previously. Seventeen cases had different kinds of previous abscesses, seven periodontal (47%), six retropharyngeal (35.5%), and four (23.5%) submaxillary. All cases were subject to thoracotomy. The most frequent @entity260 were @entity326 in 10 cases (58.8%), eight @entity697 (47%), six @entity360 (35.6%) and three acute @entity1576 (11.6%). Seven deaths were registered and 10 @entity1 survived. CONCLUSIONS: Statistical significance found between survival @entity1 vs those who died was 31.9 +/- 8.6 vs 48.1 +/- 14.1 (p < 0.05) and in those with early tracheostomy 8.0 vs 28.6 (p = 0.68). @entity204 occurred most frequently due to @entity326 , specific mortality in this group of @entity1 was 29%. Although DNM is a rare entity, 1.08% of all reviewed cases, must be treated immediately due to high mortality. The importance of early antimicrobial and surgical treatments is stressed.

[Descending XXXX . Results of Medical-Surgical Treatment in 17 Cases ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity697 :: ('MESH:D000208', 'Disease') :: ['acute pulmonary damage'] @entity326 :: ('MESH:D012772', 'Disease') :: ['septic shock'] @entity39 :: ('MESH:D009336', 'Disease') :: ['necrotizing'] @entity260 :: ('MESH:D011183', 'Disease') :: ['postoperative complications'] @entity1576 :: ('MESH:D012131', 'Disease') :: ['respiratory insufficiency syndrome'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['Death'] @entity360 :: ('MESH:D006471', 'Disease') :: ['gastrointestinal bleeding']
@entity39 :: (MESH:D009336,Disease) :: ['Necrotizing Mediastinitis']
