title: [Treatment of chronic mediastinitis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic mediastinitis is a rare disorder characterized by the proliferation of fibrous tissue within the mediastinum resulting in compression of mediastinal structures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article gives an overview of the treatment options for chronic mediastinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was carried out regarding treatment options for chronic mediastinitis
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Little is known about the pathogenesis of chronic mediastinitis, which has hampered the development of novel therapeutic approaches. There is no convincing evidence for the success of medicinal (antifungal or conventional anti-inflammatory) therapy and it is not recommended. In cases of clinical symptoms procedures for decompression, such as endovascular or endobronchial stents or surgical procedures, such as decompression interventions or extra-anatomic bypasses should be considered. The prognosis for unilateral involvement is better than for bilateral involvement if performed in specialized centers.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Thoraxchirurgie, Lungenzentrum Süd-West, Fachkliniken Wangen, Am Vogelherd 14, 88239, Wangen/Allgäu, Deutschland. robert.scheubel@wz-kliniken.de.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scheubel
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012598:Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents
keywords: Anti-inflammatory agents; Antifungal agents; Fibrosing mediastinitis; Stents; Surgical procedures