
Descending necrotizing mediastinitis complicating hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome
Author(s) -
Takanashi Yusuke,
Hayakawa Takamitsu,
Neyatani Hiroshi,
Funai Kazuhito
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
respirology case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.304
H-Index - 9
ISSN - 2051-3380
DOI - 10.1002/rcr2.165
Subject(s) - medicine , mediastinitis , retropharyngeal abscess , abscess , thoracotomy , surgery , incision and drainage , etiology , antibiotics , mediastinum , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a potentially lethal disease that originates from a deep neck infection (DNI); it is often associated with an immunocompromised state. Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is an extremely rare complex immune deficiency characterized by recurrent abscesses of staphylococcal etiology. A rare case of a 34‐year‐old woman wherein HIES putatively promoted the development of DNI into DNM is described. She presented with cervical purulent lymphadenitis and retropharyngeal abscess. Despite immediate cervical drainage and use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics, she developed DNI and subsequently DNM. Mediastinal drainage with thoracotomy and subsequent deep neck drainage were performed. Bacterial culture of the abscess isolated methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although a postoperative recurrent deep neck abscess required a second surgery, we succeeded in conservative remission of recurrent mediastinal abscess with long‐term use of anti‐MRSA drugs. Sufficient drainage under thoracotomy and robust administration of postoperative antibiotics resulted in successful management of HIES‐associated DNM.