Author/Authors :
Leal de Figueiredo, Eugênia Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - School of Dentistry - Universidade de Pernambuco, Camaragibe, PE, Brazil , Chaves Gama Aires, Carolina Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - School of Dentistry - Universidade de Pernambuco, Camaragibe, PE, Brazil , Carvalho Macêdo Neres, Bruno José Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - School of Dentistry - Universidade de Pernambuco, Camaragibe, PE, Brazil , Luna de Araújo, Bruna Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - School of Dentistry - Universidade de Pernambuco, Camaragibe, PE, Brazil , Almeida de Arruda, José Alcides Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology - School of Dentistry - Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil , José de Holanda Vasconcellos, Ricardo Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - School of Dentistry - Universidade de Pernambuco, Camaragibe, PE, Brazil
Abstract :
Mediastinitis is a rare, progressive, and destructive infectious process due to cervical or odontogenic infections, which, if not
diagnosed early, may lead to several complications, including airway involvement and even an imminent risk of death. Herein,
we report an unusual case of a 37-year-old male with a bilateral submandibular hard swelling after the left third molar
extraction. After surgical intervention with submandibular drainage and antibiotic therapy, the infection persisted without
explanation, since the patient was not hypertensive, did not have diabetes mellitus or sexually transmitted infections such as
HIV or syphilis, and did not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages. A thoracic surgeon then intervened, treating the mediastinitis
surgically by drainage, thus obtaining a significant improvement of the patient’s health. Mediastinitis is a serious condition.
Clinicians and maxillofacial surgeons should be alert to make an immediate diagnosis and select the appropriate treatment in
order to prevent worsening of the patient’s clinical condition.
