Descending Mediastinitis in Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Our case report describes a previously healthy 34-year-old male who develops a descending mediastinitis as a complication of an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. The mediastinitis was suspected to have developed by a breakthrough of a peritonsillar ab-scess through the space between the alar and prevertebral space. CASE REPORT The patient in our case report was a previously healthy 34-year-old male, who was referred to our emergency department by his general practitioner. He presented with complaints of fever and a sore throat for 2 to 3 weeks and was diagnosed with a pri-mary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection (positive IgM anti-viral capsid antigen [anti-VCA], positive IgG anti-VCA, and negative anti-Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen). Because of new onset of pain in his upper abdomen and dysphagia, he consulted his gen-eral practitioner again. His family later reported that the patient had a painful swelling in his neck, which disappeared shortly before presentation in the emergency room. On physical examination, he had a relatively low blood pressure (116/82 mm Hg), tachycardi