MEDIASTINITIS: A CLINICAL STUDY WITH PRACTICAL ANATOMIC CONSIDERATIONS OF THE NECK AND MEDIASTINUM

Abstract

The course of an acute suppurative process in the cervical region may cover a wide range of clinical manifestations and give rise to pathologic changes of a bizarre character. The capricious behavior and often bewildering influences of inflammatory disease in this part of the body have given rise to diligent research and clinical experimentation in this field. In this particular study laryngologists have advanced with striking rapidity. They have learned the great importance of early recognition of the many morbid changes produced by inflammation in the neck and the value of well directed surgical efforts in reducing the outcome to something less than an inevitable slow and painful death. To the sum and total of this knowledge have been added a clearer understanding of the mode of spread of infection to the mediastinum and rational methods for the treatment of an acute suppurative process within this part of the thoracic