title: Fatal intrathoracic hemorrhage in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease.
abstract: Neurofibromatosis can involve the mediastinum. A 44-year-old woman with a dumbbell-shaped mediastinal mass developed a large pleural effusion, respiratory failure and fatal hemoptysis. Autopsy revealed systemic neurofibromatosis involving the mediastinum and pleura. Mediastinal and pleural hemorrhage probably occurred as a result of an eroded thoracic artery. Massive hemorrhage in mediastinal neurofibromatosis occurs uncommonly but with potentially fatal results.
authors.affiliation: Chest Medicine Service, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, Calif. 90242, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baydur
authors.forename: O S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Cabula
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Krishnareddy
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Kanel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000209:etiology*