Severe mediastinitis over a month after endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration

Respirol Case Rep. 2019 Apr 9;7(5):e00426. doi: 10.1002/rcr2.426. eCollection 2019 Jul.

Abstract

Although endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been reported to be a minimally invasive and relatively safe procedure, mediastinitis is a serious complication related to the procedure. The median time of mediastinitis onset is approximately 12 days after EBUS-TBNA. Here we report two rare cases with mediastinitis onset 40 and 53 days after EBUS-TBNA. Surgical drainage was performed since systemic treatment with antibiotics was insufficient in both cases. Eikenella corrodens, which is a slow-growing microorganism, was identified as the causative pathogen in one case. To our knowledge, this is the first report of mediastinitis occurring over a month after EBUS-TBNA. Clinicians should consider the diagnosis of mediastinitis even if symptoms appear over a month after EBUS-TBNA.

Keywords: Complication; Eikenella corrodens; endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration; mediastinitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports