Abstract

Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis (DNM) can be dangerous complication after infection in the head and neck region. In spite of possibilities of using wide range of antibiotics, with isolated DNM, mortality approaches 40-50%, and when associated with comorbidities, rates as high as 80% has been reported respectively. In head and neck region one of the most frequent cause of the inflammatory process are teeth and tonsils. The aim of this article is to draw attention to the problem of life threatening complication of odontogenic and other inflammatory disorders among facial parts of the skull. We present the development of inflammatory disorders resulting from odontogenic and pharyngeal infections to Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis (DNM) and the new method of treatment using vacuum therapy.

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