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Mediastinitis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Chest infection

Treatment:

You may receive antibiotics if you have an infection.

You may need surgery to remove the area of inflammation if the blood vessels, windpipe, or esophagus is blocked.

Expectations (prognosis):

How well a person does depends on the cause of the mediastinitis.

Mediastinitis after open chest surgery is very serious. There is a significant risk of dying from the condition.

Complications:

Complications include the following:

Spread of the infection to the:
- Bloodstream
- Blood vessels
- Bones
- Heart
- Lungs
Scarring

Scarring can be severe, especially when it is caused by chronic mediastinitis. Scarring can interfere with heart or lung function.

Calling your health care provider:

Contact your health care provider if you have had open chest surgery and develop:

Chest pain
Chills
Drainage from the wound
Fever
Shortness of breath

If you have tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, or sarcoidosis and develop any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.

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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