<unk>  is inflammation or infection of the tissues in the mid-chest, or mediastinum. This disorder is rare, but is most often observed among patients following chest surgery or endoscopy.<unk>  may occur at any age. It may be classified according to cause into 2 groups: acute or chronic (sclerosing or fibrosing). Acute<unk>  is usually bacterial and due to rupture of organs in the mediastinum. Chronic sclerosing (or fibrosing)<unk> , while potentially serious, is caused by a long-standing inflammation of the mediastinum, leading to growth of acellular collagen and fibrous tissue within the chest and around the central vessels and airways. Life threatening causes of<unk>  include esophageal perforation.  Common causes of<unk>  include trauma, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, forceful or constant vomiting, and median sternotomy. If left untreated, fibrosing<unk>  may progress to sepsis and subsequently, death. The presence of<unk>  among patients following chest surgery is observed to have a particularly poor prognosis; there is a serious risk of mortality. Common complications of<unk>  include sepsis and spread of the infection. Symptoms of<unk>  include chest pain, malaise, and shortness of breath. Common physical examination findings of<unk>  include clinical signs of sepsis, tachycardia, and tachypnea. CT scan  may be diagnostic of<unk> . On CT scan, findings suggestive of<unk>  include the presence of calcified mediastinal mass. The mainstay of therapy in acute<unk>  secondary to cardiothoracic surgery includes clindamycin and ceftriaxone. The preferred regimen for preoperative prophylaxis against acute<unk>  includes either a second generation cephalosporin or vancomycin. Aggressive surgical debridement is recommended among patients with descending necrotizing<unk> .
Mediastinitis
Tonsilitis
Tonsillitis
Bronchitis
Tracheitis
Lung abscess
Tracheal diverticulum
Croup