Mediastinitis may occur suddenly (acute) or may develop slowly and get worse over time (chronic). Most cases occur in patients who have had open chest surgery. Less than 5 percent of patients develop mediastinitis after having chest surgery.
Patients may have a tear in their esophagus that causes mediastinitis. Causes of the tear include:
A procedure such as endoscopy
Forceful or constant vomiting
Trauma
Other causes of mediastinitis include:
Cancer
Histoplasmosis
Radiation
Sarcoidosis
Tuberculosis
What causes Mediastinitis?
Mediastinitis may occur suddenly (acute) or may develop slowly and get worse over time (chronic). Most cases occur in patients who have had open chest surgery. Less than 5 percent of patients develop mediastinitis after having chest surgery.
Patients may have a tear in their esophagus that causes mediastinitis. Causes of the tear include:
A procedure such as endoscopy
Forceful or constant vomiting
Trauma
Other causes of mediastinitis include:
Cancer
Histoplasmosis
Radiation
Sarcoidosis
Tuberculosis