Acute mediastinitis

Mediastinitis refers to bacterial infection within the mediastinum, divided into acute and chronic types. Acute mediastinitis often forms abscesses and is a serious condition. Chronic mediastinitis is mostly granulomatous, often caused by primary pulmonary tuberculosis or histoplasmosis infection, with a slow onset and often asymptomatic, being discovered on X-ray examination. In a few patients, the lesion may cause corresponding symptoms and signs due to obstruction or compression.