Minimally invasive drainage of a posterior mediastinal abscess through the retropharyngeal space: a report of 2 cases

Ear Nose Throat J. 2015 Mar;94(3):E27-9.

Abstract

Foreign-body ingestion is a common cause of esophageal perforation, which can lead to a fatal posterior mediastinal abscess. Routine treatments include the drainage of pus through the esophageal perforation, thoracotomy, and videothoracoscopic drainage. We present 2 cases of posterior mediastinal abscess caused by esophageal perforation. Both patients-a 44-year-old woman and an 80-year-old man-were successfully treated with a novel, minimally invasive approach that involved draining pus through the retropharyngeal space; drainage was supplemented by the administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics and nasal feeding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / etiology
  • Abscess / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Drainage / methods*
  • Esophageal Perforation / complications
  • Esophagus / injuries
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Diseases / etiology
  • Mediastinal Diseases / surgery*
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / methods*
  • Pharynx