MEDIASTINITIS
Acute mediastinitis is usually due to esophageal perforation or to traumatic rupture of the airway, or rarely to spread of infection from the neck or abdomen. Features are usually typical of mediastinal disease, along with fever, leukocytosis, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and often a pleural effusion. Distinctive features include a high pleural fluid amylase with esophageal perforation and fracture of the first three ribs seen with bronchial rupture. Treatment includes antibiotics, surgical drainage, and closure of the perforated viscus.
Chronic mediastinitis is usually caused by a granulomatous process, most often histoplasmosis, and less frequently by other fungal infections, tuberculosis, and syphilis. Noninfectious causes include sarcoidosis and, in the past, the use of methysergide. An idiopathic cause should be considered only when specific disorders are ruled out. Treatment other than that specifically directed at the underlying disorder, such as surgery, is usually unsuccessful.
- Diet
- OXYGEN THERAPY AND MECHANICAL VENTILATION
- GENERAL MANAGEMENT OF MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
- Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy
- Reduction in GFR
- Clinical Presentation
- Verapamil
- Urolithiasis
- History and Physical Examination
- Phosphate Balance
- CARCINOMA OF THE PANCREAS - Diagnosis
- Muscular and Articular System
- PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF PULMONARY HYPERTENSION ON CARDIAC FUNCTION
- CHROMC BROriCMITIS
- Disorders of Pregnancy
- Acid-Base Abnormalities
- PRINCIPLES OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION
- NORMAL INTESTINAL PHYSIOLOGY
- Diabetes Mellitus (DM)
- Renal Artery Stenosis
- Diagnosis
- Potassium Homeostasis
- SPECIFIC CLINICAL DISORDERS
- Etiology and Pathogenesis
- INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS
- CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF MALABSORPTION
- HEMATOLOGY
- AV JUNCTIONAL RHYTHM DISTURBANCES
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
- ANEMIA Definition
- Uremic Osteodystrophy
- Initial Assessment
- Lower GI Bleeding
- CHROMIC PANCREATITIS