Tuberc Respir Dis.  2005 Jan;58(1):64-67. 10.4046/trd.2005.58.1.64.

Mediastinitis after Central Venous Catheterization

• Keum DY
• Park NH
• Lee KT

• KMID: 2132201
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2005.58.1.64

Abstract

We report here on an uncommon case of mediastinitis that occurred after central venous catheterization. A patient with colon and jejunal cancer complained high fever, right shoulder pain, chest pain, and limited motion of the affected shoulder just 6 days after central venous catheterization. Bacterial culture of the blood, shoulder abscess, and catheter puncture site revealed methicillin-resistent staphylococcus aureus. Right upper mediastinal widening on chest film also suggested mediatinitis. Mediastiotomy and pus drainage was performed along with adequate antibiotics therapy. In this case, it seems that initially formed bacteria from the puncture site migrated to the mediastinum through the tissue plane to start the mediastinitis. Careful dressing of puncture site and correct handling of catheter is important to prevent this serious complication.

Keyword

Mediastinitis; Catheterization

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Anti-Bacterial Agents
Bacteria
Bandages
Catheterization
Catheterization, Central Venous*
Catheters
Central Venous Catheters*
Chest Pain
Colon
Drainage
Fever
Humans
Jejunal Neoplasms
Mediastinitis*
Mediastinum
Punctures
Shoulder
Shoulder Pain
Staphylococcus aureus
Suppuration
Thorax
Anti-Bacterial Agents