[Descending necrotizing mediastinitis resulting from acute epiglottitis; report of a case].

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a serious condition due to abscess spreading from neck into mediastinum. We report a case of DNM following acute epiglottitis and abscess. A 59-year old male visited our hospital for parotid swelling, pyrexia, and dyspnea, and was diagnosed as having acute epiglottitis at otology and hospitalized. Despite right tonsillectomy, drainage and tracheostomy on day 6 after hospitalization, he developed DNM and was referred to our department. Drainage of mediastinal regions( anterior to the trachea and tracheal bifurcation, inferoposterior mediastinum and posterior to the left main bronchus) was performed on day 14 after hospitalization. Postoperative course was uneventful.