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DOI: 10.3233/JPI-130388
Isolated Staphylococcal anterior mediastinal abscess in a 10-year-old-boy with chest pain and fever
Subject Editor:
Publication History
10 April 2013
30 May 2013
Publication Date:
28 July 2015 (online)
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.