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Mediastinitis - Overview

Alternative Names

Chest infection

Definition of Mediastinitis:

Mediastinitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the area between the lungs (mediastinum). This area contains the heart, large blood vessels, windpipe (trachea), esophagus, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and connective tissues.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Mediastinitis may occur suddenly (acute) or may develop slowly and get worse over time (chronic). Most cases occur in patients who have had open chest surgery. Less than 5 percent of patients develop mediastinitis after having chest surgery.

Patients may have a tear in their esophagus that causes mediastinitis. Causes of the tear include:

A procedure such as endoscopy
Forceful or constant vomiting
Trauma

Other causes of mediastinitis include:

Risk factors include:

Problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract
Recent chest surgery or endoscopy
Weak immune system

Respiratory system

Reviewed last on: 9/17/2008
Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PhD, MD, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Park DR, Vallières E. Pneumomediastinum and mediastinitis. In: Mason RJ, Murray J, Broaddus VC, Nadel J, eds. Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2005: chap 72.

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