Mediastinitis is swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the area between the lungs (mediastinum). This area contains the heart, large blood vessels, windpipe (trachea), esophagus, thymus gland, lymph nodes, and connective tissues.

Chest infection

Mediastinitis is usually results from an infection. It may occur suddenly (acute) or may develop slowly and get worse over time (chronic). It most often occurs in patients who recently had an upper endoscopy or chest surgery.

Patients may have a tear in their esophagus that causes mediastinitis. Causes of the tear include:

• A procedure such as endoscopy
• Forceful or constant vomiting
• Trauma

Other causes of mediastinitis include:

• Anthrax inhalation
• Cancer
• Histoplasmosis
• Radiation
• Sarcoidosis
• Tuberculosis

Risk factors include:

• Disease of the esophagus
• Problems in the upper gastrointestinal tract
• Recent chest surgery or endoscopy
• Weakened immune system

Images

Respiratory system

Next Section

Mediastinitis Symptoms

Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)