Imaging features and differential diagnoses of non-neoplastic diffuse mediastinal diseases

Diagnostic enigma of pulmonary hypertension: Tale from a series of three patients

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex condition with multiple etiological factors. The ability to identify a potential underlying cause is crucial for accurate diagnosis, patient management, and prognostication. This article presents a series of three patient cases to illustrate the enigmatic nature of PH diagnosis. Understanding the enigmatic nature of PH and implementing focused clinical evaluation and protocol-driven management are crucial in deciphering this complex condition. By unraveling the mysteries surrounding PH, we can pave the way for effective interventions and better patient care.

Non-IgG4-Related Fibrosing Mediastinitis Diagnosed on Core Needle Biopsy and Treated with Steroids: A Case Study and Review of the Differential Diagnoses

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the histological characteristics and treatment efficacy of non-immunoglobulin G4-related fibrosing mediastinitis and discuss differential diagnoses for this rare entity.

METHODS

We present a case study of non-immunoglobulin G4-related fibrosing mediastinitis diagnosed on core biopsy and treated with steroids. A total of four 18-gauge core needle biopsy specimens were obtained for surgical pathology. Analysis of the patient's medical history, radiological characteristics of fibrosing mediastinitis, histological features, immunohistochemistry results, the differential diagnosis and treatment efficacy of different types of fibrosing mediastinitis was performed.

RESULTS

This report describes a unique presentation of fibrosing mediastinitis (syncope and weight loss) that was concerning for malignancy. Histological, laboratory and radiographical studies confirmed the diagnosis of non-immunoglobulin G4-related fibrosing mediastinitis. The patient received corticosteroid treatment which showed marked improvement after 1 month of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Fibrosing mediastinitis is an extremely uncommon entity with unknown pathogenesis, and it is more important to rule out malignancy and infection than to delineate between fibrosing mediastinitis and IgG4-related disease. In doing this, we may reasonably initiate a trial of corticosteroids which may prove beneficial, as in this patient. More studies on the pathogenesis of fibrosing mediastinitis are necessary to guide better directed treatments.

[Tracheobronchial involvement in relapsing polychondritis and differential diagnoses]

Relapsing polychondritis is a systemic auto-immune disease that mainly affects cartilage structures, progressing through inflammatory flare-ups between phases of remission and ultimately leading to deformation of the cartilages involved. In addition to characteristic damage of auricular or nasal cartilage, tracheobronchial and cardiac involvement are particularly severe, and can seriously alter the prognosis. Tracheobronchial lesions are assessed by means of a multimodal approach, including dynamic thoracic imaging, measurement of pulmonary function (with recent emphasis on pulse oscillometry), and mapping of tracheal lesions through flexible bronchoscopy. Diagnosis can be difficult in the absence of specific diagnostic tools, especially as there may exist a large number of differential diagnoses, particularly as regards inflammatory diseases. The prognosis has improved, due largely to upgraded interventional bronchoscopy techniques and the development of immunosuppressant drugs and targeted therapies, offering patients a number of treatment options.

Role of Radiology in Assessment of Postoperative Complications of Heart Transplantation

Heart transplantation is a pivotal treatment of end-stage heart failure, and recent advancements have extended median posttransplant life expectancy. However, despite the progress in surgical techniques and medical treatment, heart transplant patients still face complications such as rejection, infections, and drug toxicity. CT is a reliable tool for detecting most of these complications, whereas MR imaging is particularly adept at identifying pericardial pathologies and signs of rejection. Awareness of these nuances by radiologists, cardiologists, and surgeons is desired to optimize care, reduce morbidities, and enhance survival.

Pericardial Closure With Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Patch in Left Ventricular Assist Device Surgery

To reduce adhesions after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, pericardial closure using an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) patch has been suggested. However, as foreign material, ePTFE patches could increase the risk of infectious complications. In this single-center retrospective study, we investigated outcomes of pericardial closure using an ePTFE patch in LVAD implantation. We included all patients who underwent LVAD implantation at our center between 2011 and 2020 (n = 166). Primary endpoint was development of mediastinitis at any point of time between LVAD implantation and heart transplantation (HTx) or death. Secondary endpoint was overall survival. Preoperative and postoperative clinical data were collected to ensure comparability between the groups. We included 166 patients with LVAD. A total of 116 patients (70%) underwent pericardial closure using an ePTFE patch. There were significant differences between the groups in treatment setting, previous cardiac surgery, Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) level, development of driveline infection, and HTx. Patients with an ePTFE patch developed mediastinitis more frequently (16%) than patients without ePTFE patch (4%) ( p = 0.039). A significant difference in overall survival between the groups could not be confirmed ( p = 0.29). The use of PTFE patches for pericardial closure in LVAD implantation was associated with a higher incidence of mediastinitis, but not with a difference in overall survival.

Idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis with esophageal varices: A case report

Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a rare cause of lung fibrosis with multiple etiologies ranging from infectious to autoimmune to idiopathic. Common causes of FM include histoplasmosis and a relatively new cause of IgG4-related disease. We present a 55-year-old male with symptoms of esophageal varices, intractable hiccups, and progressive difficulty in breathing. A chest X-ray showed right lung fibrosis with pleural effusion and loss of lung volume, which was originally thought to be the sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 or metastasis, but computed tomography of the chest revealed FM. His variceal bleeding was controlled, and he was discharged home. However, treatment for FM was not pursued because the cause was not identified. Using corticosteroids may not cease the progression of the disease, and surgical options are available when symptoms persist. Idiopathic FM requires laboratory and radiological findings to exclude relevant differential diagnoses.

Chest X-ray features facilitate screening for pulmonary hypertension caused by fibrosing mediastinitis

Background

Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of pulmonary hypertension caused by fibrosing mediastinitis (PH-FM) are considerably prevalent due to unspecific symptoms and as well as the lack of awareness of this fatal disease.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the chest X-ray (CXR) for screening the patients with PH-FM from those with pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Design

This was a retrospective observational cohort study.

Methods

The patients with suspected PH were recruited between October 2014 and October 2020. All the clinical data and CXR findings were collected. The sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio of the CXR features were calculated. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with the CXR characteristics and FM and to generate a prediction model. Finally, the diagnostic efficiency of the prediction model was evaluated using nomogram and internal validation.

Results

The patients with PH-FM (n = 36) and PH caused by the diseases other than FM (PH-non-FM, n = 62) were enrolled. The CXR features, including atelectasis, pleural effusion, consolidation, nodules, calcification, interlobular septal thickening, and interstitial reticulation, were more prevalent in patients with PH-FM than in those with PH-non-FM (all p < 0.05). Atelectasis had a specificity of 97%, a sensitivity of 50%, and a greater accuracy for diagnosing of PH-FM [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.720; 95% CI: 0.634-0.806] than the other factors did. The combination of tuberculosis, natural logarithmic NT-proBNP (lnBNP), atelectasis, pleural effusion, and prominent right heart border constituted a prediction model to distinguish the PH-FM from the PH-non-FM, with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 83.9%. The model demonstrated good prediction performance by showing an AUC of 0.922 (95% CI: 0.861-0.983) in the internal validation.

Conclusion

In this study, atelectasis was the most specific and accurate CXR characteristic for identifying PH-FM in the PH patients. The combination of atelectasis, pleural effusion, prominent right heart border, tuberculosis, and lnBNP constituted a prediction model that distinguished the PH-FM patients from the PH-non-FM ones with good performance.

Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by Fibrosing Mediastinitis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and severe disorder in pulmonary hemodynamics. PH can be fatal if not well managed. Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a rare and benign fibroproliferative disease in the mediastinum, which may lead to pulmonary vessel compression and PH. PH caused by FM (PH-FM) is a pathologic condition belonging to group 5 in the World Health Organization PH classification. PH-FM has a poor prognosis because of a lack of effective therapeutic modalities and inappropriate diagnosis. With the development of percutaneous pulmonary vascular interventional therapy, the prognosis of PH-FM has been greatly improved in recent years. This article provides a comprehensive review on the epidemiology, pathophysiologic characteristics, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and treatment modalities of PH-FM based on data from published reports and our medical center with the goal of facilitating the diagnosis and treatment of this fatal disease.

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PH-FM, as a type of rare condition in group 5 PH, has a poor prognosis because of a lack of effective therapeutic modalities and frequent misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis.

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The most prevalent trigger of FM is H-FM in the United States and TB-FM in China.

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Imaging findings, including mismatched perfusion defects in the V/Q scan, FM dyad, and FM triad are important diagnostic clues, and clinical classification facilitates decision making in diagnosis and therapeutics.

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Because of the limited efficacy of drug therapy as well as the uncertain effectiveness and high risk of surgical treatment, endovascular interventional modality is currently the preferred therapeutic option, although procedure-related complications and intrastent restenosis after PV intervention need to be addressed.