Severe mediastinitis over a month after endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Abstract

Although endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been reported to be a minimally invasive and relatively safe procedure, mediastinitis is a serious complication related to the procedure. The median time of mediastinitis onset is approximately 12 days after EBUS-TBNA. Here we report two rare cases with mediastinitis onset 40 and 53 days after EBUS-TBNA. Surgical drainage was performed since systemic treatment with antibiotics was insufficient in both cases. Eikenella corrodens, which is a slow-growing microorganism, was identified as the causative pathogen in one case. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mediastinitis occurring over a month after EBUS-TBNA. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of mediastinitis even if symptoms appear over a month after EBUS-TBNA.