[Descending necrotizing mediastinitis. A case report]. / La médiastinite descendante nécrosante. A propos d'une observation.

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis which may occur as a complication of neglected oropharynx infection is an uncommon disease, although it is lethal in most cases. Trismus and dyspnea are usual with palpable crepitation located in the cervico-thoracic area. Early diagnosis can be confirmed with accuracy by CT scan. Treatment is based on early mediastinal drainage by cervical approach, intravenous antibiotics and reanimation. The reported case had a favorable outcome.