A pressing matter--mediastinal fibrosis with near obliteration of the pulmonary arteries

Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. 2013 May;81(6):1079-83. doi: 10.1002/ccd.24561. Epub 2012 Nov 14.

Abstract

Idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis is a rare, histologically benign condition which often presents with symptoms attributable to compression of vital mediastinal structures. Diagnosis can be difficult and individualized treatments are required for patients, with possible intervention including pharmacotherapy, surgery, and percutaneous stenting. We present a case of idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis present in a 50-year-old woman as compression and near obliteration of the pulmonary arteries. A percutaneous approach was utilized with bilateral balloon expandable kissing stents simultaneous deployed from the main pulmonary artery to the right and left pulmonary arteries. There was instantaneous improvement in the pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics. Her immediate postprocedure course was complicated by reperfusion injury to the right lung, requiring intubation and ventilation. The patient made a full recovery and remains well at 6 months. Our case highlights the procedural and postprocedural difficulties that exist in such cases, and reinforces the value of endovascular stenting strategies in the management of patients with this rare condition.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angioplasty, Balloon* / adverse effects
  • Angioplasty, Balloon* / instrumentation
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / diagnosis
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / etiology
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / physiopathology
  • Arterial Occlusive Diseases / therapy*
  • Constriction, Pathologic
  • Female
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mediastinitis / complications*
  • Mediastinitis / physiopathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pulmonary Artery* / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery* / pathology
  • Pulmonary Artery* / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Circulation
  • Sclerosis / complications*
  • Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Stents
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Supplementary concepts

  • Mediastinal Fibrosis