"this may also occur due to anastomotic dehiscence post-oesophageal surgery"
"deep sternal wound infection: associated subcutaneous stranding/collection may be evident"
"Patients may experience retrosternal pain and exhibit systemic signs such as fever, tachycardia or hypotension. Blood results may reveal a raised white cell count +/- neutrophilia and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) 2,3."
"Mediastinitis secondary to oesophageal perforation may present after a recent endoscopy, or after a bout of forceful vomiting (Boerhaave syndrome). Patients with a mediastinal infection secondary to an infected median sternotomy wound may have signs of wound infection on examination 2. Infection spreading from the head and neck may have additional signs pointing to a localised source of infection such as dental, neck or throat pain."
"evidence of mediastinal inflammation such as fat stranding, oedema and loss of the normal fat planes"
"It is important to note that a level of inflammatory change, fluid and haemorrhage is expected following recent cardiac surgery and may last up to 2 weeks 1,2. A combination of comparison to previous imaging, judgement of the expected appearance, and discussion with the clinical team regarding the patient's current condition may be helpful in guiding interpretation."
"extension of infection from the lung or extension of adjacent osteomyelitis (e.g. sternoclavicular joint)"
"complications from spread of infection: empyema or subphrenic abscess; a pericardial effusion may indicate pericarditis"