1. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis: A 10-year surgical experience in a single institution 
Ke-Cheng Chen, MD, Jin-Shing Chen, MD, PhD, Shuenn-Wen Kuo, MD, Pei-Ming Huang, MD, Hsao-Hsun Hsu, MD, Jang-Ming Lee, MD, PhD, Yung-Chie Lee, MD, PhD 
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 
Volume 136, Issue 1, Pages (July 2008)
DOI: /j.jtcvs
Copyright © 2008 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

2. Figure 1
In case 16, the cervicothoracic CT scan revealed retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess (A), descending into the upper mediastinum (B) and the posterior mediastinum with bilateral thoracic empyema (C and D).
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2008 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions

3. Figure 2
In case 16, during left VATS exploration, the inflamed mediastinal pleura at the para-aortic area was opened (A and B). Much purulent discharge and necrotic tissue was drained out and debrided with normal saline irrigation (C). Finally, the mediastinum was clear (D) and chest tube placement was precise with VATS.
The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery  , DOI: ( /j.jtcvs )
Copyright © 2008 The American Association for Thoracic Surgery Terms and Conditions