Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: a challenging infection. Selected results of a Moroccan bicentric study.

Introduction: Mediastinal infection is a persistent and difficult widespread infectious disease caused by secondary complications of adjacent organs. It spreads easily and is often misdiagnosed because of the lack of typical manifestations. Material and methods: To highlight the clinical features, medical and surgical strategy of descending necrotizing mediastinitis we performed a retrospective study of 25 documented cases during a 10-year period at our hospital, all treated surgically, 10 from the ORL department and 15 from our thoracic surgery department. Results: Patients were aged from 20 to 84 years, with a median age of 41 years, male predominance (19 men and 6 women), sex ratio of 3.6. A cervicotomy (in 40% of cases) was associated or not with videothoracoscopy (one case) or thoracotomy (in 20% of cases) and wide-spectrum antibiotherapy. In the postoperative period, an irrigation-suction system was used on the drains in 15 patients. In 1 case a rethoracotomy was necessary to remove a residual right pyothorax, and one patient required a tracheostomy. Twenty-two (88%) patients recovered from their mediastinitis. Death of 3 patients by sepsis multiorgan failure occurred. Postoperative follow-up during one year was uneventful without recurrence. Conclusions: According to our experience, we believe the more aggressive local treatment is, the better are the results.

Cervical hibernoma.

Hibernomas, are rare, benign tumors composed of brown fat. They can affect multiple sites, including the head, neck, trunk, and extremities. Their clinical presentation is similar to that of malignant tumors such as liposarcomas, which can lead to mismanagement. Imaging is useful but histopathologic confirmation of the tumor is needed. We present two cases of histology-proven neck hibernoma treated with radical excision.

Single-Stage Transthoracic Surgery of Right Pulmonary and Hepatic Hydatid Cysts: A Retrospective Study of Fourteen Patients.

Background: The association of pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts is rare. Managing this condition with low mortality and complications is a challenge. The aim of this study is to put forward our experience in managing both sites in single-stage posterolateral thoracotomy. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study of 14 patients who underwent single-stage posterolateral thoracotomy and phrenotomy to treat right lung and liver hydatid cysts between January 2010 and December 2019 were reviewed. Results: Fourteen of 135 patients (10.4%) with double location of hydatid disease were treated in our department for pulmonary hydatid cysts in the same period. There were nine males and five females who were 20 to 72 years old (average age, 42.7 years). Chest computed tomography (CT) and abdominal scan were performed in all cases. The surgical approach was posterolateral thoracotomy and phrenotomy without laparotomy in all cases. Conservation of hepatic and pulmonary parenchymas was possible in 13 patients (92.8%). Average operative time was 122 minutes (range, 95-210 minutes) and the average post-operative hospital stay was 8.7 days. Post-operative complications occurred in two (14.3%) cases, one was atelectasis and the other persistent biliary and air leakage. There was no post-operative mortality. All patients received post-operative medical treatment for three to six months and there was no recurrence after an average follow-up of 26 months. Conclusion: Single-stage thoracotomy is a better option than thoracotomy and laparotomy for the management of double located hydatid cysts. It has a lower complication rate, shorter hospital stay, and rapid resumption of normal activity.