title: Computed tomography and the idiopathic form of proliferative fibrosing mediastinitis.
abstract: Fibrosing mediastinitis is characterized by abnormal proliferation of acellular collagen and fibrous tissue in the mediastinum. Although most cases in the United States are attributed to Histoplasma capsulatum, there is a different and important idiopathic subset, with potentially different treatment and prognosis implications. We reviewed 12 such cases encountered from 1995 to 2004. Computed tomography showed that the masses were large, averaging 5 x 9 cm, with none showing significant calcification. Five had extension into the neck, and all had some vascular or airway involvement. Mimics may include the precalcific form of postinflammatory mediastinal fibrosis, mediastinal granuloma, malignancy (esp. lymphoma), sarcoidosis, and Castleman disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences S1319 MCN, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 1161 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37232-3675, USA. john.worrell@Vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Worrell
authors.forename: Edwin F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Donnelly
authors.forename: Jason B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bastarache
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Loyd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed