Fibrosing mediastinitis mimicking sarcoidosis

Clin Respir J. 2015 Jan;9(1):125-8. doi: 10.1111/crj.12107. Epub 2014 May 15.

Abstract

Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM), also called sclerosing mediastinitis or mediastinal fibrosis, is a rare disease characterized by excessive fibrotic reaction in the mediastinum and may compromise the airway, the great vessels and other mediastinal structures, with a morbidity directly related to the location and extent of fibrosis. The cause is not always known but is often the result of a granulomatous disease, most often the histoplasmosis. We report a 43-year-old woman with a history of tuberculosis infection 23 years ago. She attended the pulmonology clinic for cough and dyspnea. Physical examination revealed jugular venous distention at 90°. In computed tomography scan of the chest with contrast (c/c), we observed a mediastinal nodal cast provoking cava compression and obliteration of main and intermediary right lobar bronchus. The pathological examination was FM.

Keywords: IgG4-related disease; fibrosing mediastinitis; sarcoidosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mediastinitis / complications
  • Mediastinitis / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinitis / therapy
  • Sarcoidosis / diagnosis*
  • Sclerosis / complications
  • Sclerosis / diagnosis*
  • Sclerosis / therapy

Supplementary concepts

  • Mediastinal Fibrosis