Mediastinitis (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Mediastinitis (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Mediastinitis|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Mediastinitis|here]]''' | ||
{{ | {{CMG}}; '''Assistant Editor-in-Chief:''' Alexandra M. Palmer | ||
==Overview== | |||
== | |||
[[Mediastinitis]] is [[swelling]] and [[irritation]] ([[inflammation]]) of the area between the [[lungs]] ([[mediastinum]]). This area contains the [[heart]], large [[blood vessels]], [[windpipe]] ([[trachea]]), [[esophagus]], [[thymus gland]], [[lymph nodes]], and [[connective tissues]]. | [[Mediastinitis]] is [[swelling]] and [[irritation]] ([[inflammation]]) of the area between the [[lungs]] ([[mediastinum]]). This area contains the [[heart]], large [[blood vessels]], [[windpipe]] ([[trachea]]), [[esophagus]], [[thymus gland]], [[lymph nodes]], and [[connective tissues]]. | ||
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*Weak [[immune system]] | *Weak [[immune system]] | ||
== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Contact your [[health care provider]] if you have had open [[chest surgery]] and develop: | |||
*[[Chest pain]] | |||
*[[Chills]] | |||
*Drainage from the [[wound]] | |||
*[[Fever]] | |||
*[[Shortness of breath]] | |||
If you have [[tuberculosis]], [[histoplasmosis]], or [[sarcoidosis]] and develop any of these symptoms, contact your [[health care provider]] right away. | |||
==Diagnosis== | |||
Signs of [[mediastinitis]] in patients who have had recent [[surgery]] include: | |||
*[[Chest wall]] [[tenderness]] | |||
*[[Wound]] drainage | |||
*Unstable [[chest wall]] | |||
Tests include: | |||
*[[Chest]] [[CT scan]] or [[MRI scan]] | |||
*[[Chest x-ray]] | |||
Your [[health care provider]] may insert a [[needle]] into the area of [[inflammation]] and remove a sample to send for [[gram stain]] and culture to find the source of any [[infection]]. | |||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
You may receive [[antibiotics]] if you have an [[infection]]. | |||
==Where to find | You may need [[surgery]] to remove the area of [[inflammation]] if the [[blood vessels]], [[windpipe]], or [[esophagus]] is blocked. | ||
==Where to find medical care for Mediastinitis?== | |||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Mediastinitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Mediastinitis] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|Mediastinitis}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating Mediastinitis] | ||
== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
How well a person does depends on the cause of the [[mediastinitis]]. | |||
[[Mediastinitis]] after open [[chest]] [[surgery]] is very serious. There is a significant risk of dying from the [[condition]]. | |||
==Possible | ==Possible complications== | ||
[[Complications]] include the following: | |||
*Spread of the [[infection]] to the: | |||
**[[Bloodstream]] | |||
**[[Blood vessels]] | |||
**[[Bones]] | |||
**[[Heart]] | |||
**[[Lungs]] | |||
**[[Scarring]] | |||
[[Scarring]] can be severe, especially when it is caused by [[chronic mediastinitis]]. [[Scarring]] can interfere with [[heart]] or [[lung]] function. | |||
==Prevention== | |||
The only way to prevent [[mediastinitis]] related to [[chest]] [[surgery]] is to keep surgical [[wounds]] clean and dry after [[surgery]]. | |||
Treating [[tuberculosis]], [[sarcoidosis]], or other [[conditions]] associated with [[mediastinitis]] may prevent this [[complication]]. | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000081.htm | |||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
[[Category:Patient | |||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Overview complete]] | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonary patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Pulmonology]] | |||
[[Category:Template complete]] | |||
[[Category:Cardiology]] | |||
[[Category:Cardiology patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Thoracic surgery patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Cardiac surgery patient information]] | |||
[[Category:Thoracic surgery]] | |||
Latest revision as of 21:50, 9 December 2011
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Mediastinitis |
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Mediastinitis On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Alexandra M. Palmer
Overview
Mediastinitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the area between the lungs (mediastinum). This area contains the heart, large blood vessels, windpipe (trachea), esophagus, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and connective tissues.
What are the symptoms of Mediastinitis?
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Coughing up blood
- Fever
- Malaise
- Shortness of breath
What causes Mediastinitis?
Mediastinitis may occur suddenly (acute) or may develop slowly and get worse over time (chronic). Most cases occur in patients who have had open chest surgery. Less than 5 percent of patients develop mediastinitis after having chest surgery.
Patients may have a tear in their esophagus that causes mediastinitis. Causes of the tear include:
- A procedure such as endoscopy
- Forceful or constant vomiting
Other causes of mediastinitis include:
Who is at risk for Mediastinitis?
Risk factors include:
- Problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract
- Weak immune system
When to seek urgent medical care?
Contact your health care provider if you have had open chest surgery and develop:
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Drainage from the wound
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
If you have tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, or sarcoidosis and develop any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.
Diagnosis
Signs of mediastinitis in patients who have had recent surgery include:
- Chest wall tenderness
- Wound drainage
- Unstable chest wall
Tests include:
Your health care provider may insert a needle into the area of inflammation and remove a sample to send for gram stain and culture to find the source of any infection.
Treatment options
You may receive antibiotics if you have an infection.
You may need surgery to remove the area of inflammation if the blood vessels, windpipe, or esophagus is blocked.
Where to find medical care for Mediastinitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Mediastinitis
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
How well a person does depends on the cause of the mediastinitis.
Mediastinitis after open chest surgery is very serious. There is a significant risk of dying from the condition.
Possible complications
Complications include the following:
- Spread of the infection to the:
Scarring can be severe, especially when it is caused by chronic mediastinitis. Scarring can interfere with heart or lung function.
Prevention
The only way to prevent mediastinitis related to chest surgery is to keep surgical wounds clean and dry after surgery.
Treating tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, or other conditions associated with mediastinitis may prevent this complication.
Sources
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000081.htm Template:WH Template:WS