Descending Mediastinitis in a Child: Diagnostic Challenges and a Different Treatment Approach

Abstract

In children, spontaneous mediastinitis is a rare, severe and commonly misdiagnosed disease. Although standard of care treatment frequently involves surgery, we report a case of mediastinitis in a five-year-old child, successfully treated with 4 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. Ultrasound imaging was used to monitor patient response to conservative treatment while reducing radiation exposure.

Keywords

• group a streptococcus
• deep cervical infection
• ultrasound monitoring