TY - JOUR T1 - Descending necrotising mediastinitis: two case reports and review of the literature JF - European Respiratory Review JO - EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW SP - 141 LP - 149 DO - 10.1183/09059180.00001110 VL - 19 IS - 116 AU - E. Weaver AU - X. Nguyen AU - M. A. Brooks Y1 - 2010/06/01 UR - http://err.ersjournals.com/content/19/116/141.abstract N2 - Descending necrotising mediastinitis is a rare and serious infection with a high mortality rate, which complicates pharyngeal or odontogenic infection. Early recognition and treatment are essential in order to minimise morbidity. Evaluation with computed tomography is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and facilitate surgical planning. In addition to prompt empirical antiobiotic therapy, surgical intervention is necessary in nearly all cases. Surgical drainage and debridement may be performed through cervicotomy alone, or through combined cervicotomy and thoracotomy, depending upon the extent of disease. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may play an auxiliary role. We present two recent cases with characteristic imaging findings, and review the relevant literature. ER -