Adult varicella zoster infection complicated with streptococcal retrosternal abscess.

A 43-year-old lady with type 2 diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma presented with varicella zoster infection, dyspnea, and neck fullness. An urgent computed tomography scan revealed a mediastinal abscess with superior vena cava thrombus. Blood, mediastinal pus, and swab from a vesiculopustule on the neck cultured group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus. She recovered with a combination of broad spectrum antimicrobials, antivirals, and surgical drainage. This case illustrates the rare occurrence of mediastinal abscess and acute superior vena cava obstruction caused by group A beta hemolytic Streptococcus complicating adult varicella zoster.

Citation

Felix Boon Bin Yap, Sze Ting Kiung. Adult varicella zoster infection complicated with streptococcal retrosternal abscess. Southern medical journal. 2009 Jun;102(6):653-5

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PMID: 19434036

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