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J Pediatr Infect Dis 2013; 08(02): 101-105
DOI: 10.3233/JPI-130388
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Isolated Staphylococcal anterior mediastinal abscess in a 10-year-old-boy with chest pain and fever

Lazaro E. Hernandez
a   Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Amplatz Children's Hospital, MN, USA
,
Charles Shepard
a   Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Amplatz Children's Hospital, MN, USA
,
Eric Hoggard
b   Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota, Amplatz Children's Hospital, MN, USA
,
Roosevelt III. Bryant
c   Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Minnesota, Amplatz Children's Hospital, MN, USA
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Publication History

10 April 2013

30 May 2013

Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

Anterior mediastinal abscesses of non-traumatic etiology are extremely rare in childhood and their presentation can be variable. We describe the unusual case of a previously healthy 10 year old boy who presented to the emergency department with chest pain and fever. Patient was found to have an anterior mediastinal abscess caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Even though surgical drainage was performed with significant clinical and laboratory improvement, patient developed secondary sternal osteomyelitis motivating a longer course of intravenous antibiotic therapy (for a total of 7 weeks). We discuss the etiology, diagnosis and therapeutic options of anterior mediastinal masses in children, drawing comparison with similar cases previously reported.

Keywords

Mediastinal abscess - children - chest pain - osteomyelitis