Acute Mediastinitis: Etiology - Postoperative complications - Esophageal perforation - Extension of osteomyelitis from adjacent bone - Descending necrotizing mediastinitis - Hematogenous spread of infection
Acute Mediastinitis: CT Findings - Increased attenuation of mediastinal fat - Free gas bubbles in the mediastinum - Localized fluid collections - Enlarged lymph nodes - Pleural effusions - Empyema Nonvascular, Nontraumatic Mediastinal Emergencies in Adults: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Findings Katabathina VS et al. RadioGraphics 2011; 31:1141-1160
“ Acute mediastinitis occurs in 0.5%-5% of patients who underwent median sternotomy and has a reported mortality rate of 7%-80%. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causitive microorganism of postoperative acute mediastinitis.” Nonvascular, Nontraumatic Mediastinal Emergencies in Adults: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Findings Katabathina VS et al. RadioGraphics 2011; 31:1141-1160
“ The presence of mediastinal gas bubbles and fluid collections on CT images after the 14th postoperative day has sensitivity and specificity approaching 100% for the diagnosis of acute mediastinitis.” Nonvascular, Nontraumatic Mediastinal Emergencies in Adults: A Comprehensive Review of Imaging Findings Katabathina VS et al. RadioGraphics 2011; 31:1141-1160
Sternal Dehiscence on CT - Displacement of sternal wires - Rotation of sternal wires - Fracture of sternal wires - Widening of mediastinal stripe
