Fibrosing mediastinitis causing rapidly progressive dyspnea, pulmonary edema and death in a 16 yr old male

Abstract

Idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare entity involving more severely the more compliant structures within the mediastinum. In this report a rare case of simultaneous involvement of both the superior vena cava (SVC) and pulmonary veins is described in a 16 – year old male with progressive dyspnea on exertion, cough and a three months’ history of blood – tinged sputum. Physical examination and imaging studies revealed signs of pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH) and SVC stenosis. Fibrosing mediastinitis was confirmed by multiple biopsy samples.

Keywords

• Fibrosing mediastinitis
• postcapillary pulmonary hypertension
• pulmonary edema
• superior vena cava syndrome