Refractory pleural effusion as a rare complication of pulmonary vascular stenosis induced by fibrosing mediastinitis: a case report and literature review

Successful simultaneous stenting of a pulmonary artery and vein in pulmonary vascular stenosis due to silicosis. Case report and literature review

A 58-year-old patient was admitted to the emergency department due to severe respiratory insufficiency. Anamnesis revealed that the patient had experienced increasing stress dyspnea for a few months. Upon imaging, an acute pulmonary embolism was excluded, but peribronchial and hilar soft tissue proliferation with compression of central parts of the pulmonary circulation was found. The patient had a history of silicosis. The histology report showed tumor-free lymph node particles with prominent anthracotic pigment and dust depositions without evidence of IgG4-associated disease. The patient was administered steroid therapy and underwent simultaneous stenting of the left interlobular pulmonary artery and the upper right pulmonary vein. As a result, a significant improvement in symptoms and physical performance was achieved. The diagnosis of inflammatory or, in particular, fibrosing mediastinal processes can be challenging and important clinical symptoms must be taken into account, especially if the pulmonary vasculature is involved. In such cases, the possibility of interventional procedures should be examined in addition to drug therapy options.

Chronic Expanding Haematoma Causing Stenosis of the Right Ventricular Outflow Tract and Pulmonary Hypertension

A chronic expanding haematoma (CEH) is an encapsulated mass that gradually increases in size from repeated internal bleeding and neovascularization. We herein report a 69-year-old man who was admitted with dyspnoea on exertion after undergoing thymic carcinoma resection 17 years ago. Chest computed tomography showed a heterogeneous mass in the anterior mediastinum and compression of the right ventricle, and pulmonary artery. Right cardiac catheterisation revealed pulmonary hypertension that was relieved after resection of the diagnosed CEH mass. This report highlights the mechanism underlying anterior mediastinal CEH-induced stenotic compression of the right ventricle-pulmonary artery outflow and subsequent pulmonary hypertension.

Idiopathic fibrous mediastinitis with refractory pleural effusion: a case report and literature review

Fibrous mediastinitis is a rare progressive disease characterized by invasive proliferation of fibrous tissue in the mediastinum. This tissue proliferation leads to compression of the mediastinal structures in the thoracic cavity, including the pulmonary vessels, esophagus, and trachea, causing corresponding symptoms and complications such as pulmonary hypertension. In clinical practice, the diagnosis of fibrous mediastinitis is often delayed or missed because of the rarity and variable clinical manifestations of this condition. This article presents a case of idiopathic fibrous mediastinitis that manifested as pleural effusion of unknown etiology along with a review of the relevant literature.