Common fever acutely progressing to descending necrotizing mediastinitis treated with thoracoscopic surgery: A case report

Abstract Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is caused by a cervical or odontogenic infection that spreads downward to the mediastinum through anatomical cervical spaces. Its mortality rate is high, and its early diagnosis is important for successful treatment. Here, we report about a 14-month-old girl with DNM and pyothorax who was admitted to our hospital. She underwent thoracoscopic surgery (TS) for drainage of the mediastinum and was administrated with antibiotics. Her postoperative course was uneventful. Common fever in children, even in those without past history, can acutely progress to DNM with pyothorax. TS was effective in performing mediastinal drainage.