Staphylococcal isolated anterosuperior mediastinal abscess of unknown origin

Abstract

Mediastinal abscess is a rare presentation of infections involving the mediastinum. In rare cases, the origin of the infection cannot be identified. We report a case of a 32-year old male who was presented with a mediastinal abscess with an otherwise clear history. The origin of the infection could not be identified despite extensive investigations. The patient was operated through a cervical incision. His postoperative recovery was uneventful. Rare causes of mediastinal infections should not be overlooked from the diagnostic process even if the origin of infection cannot be identified. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.