Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis With Bilateral Pleural Empyema

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rare disease and mainly related to the spread of oropharyngeal and odontogenic infections into the mediastinum. Delayed diagnosis and inadequate mediastinal drainage are the primary causes of the reported high mortality rates. We report a case of DNM secondary to odontogenic infection, with bilateral thoracic cavity and mediastinal involvement.The thoracic cavity and the mediastinum were both drained by bilateral thoracotomy. The patient was discharged on the postoperative day 30 and is doing well 5 months postoperatively.