mediastinitis (acute)

Last reviewed 01/2018

Acute mediastinitis is the relatively sudden and severe inflammation of mediastinal structures.

In the past this was a very rare condition, but the incidence has increased in recent years due to procedures such as endoscopy, with associated iatrogenic oesophageal perforation, and operative interventions such as thoracotomy.

Acute mediastinitis is a complication of 0.1 to 0.2% of all cardiac surgery.