CHRONIC IDIOPATHIC MEDIASTINAL FIBROSIS PRESENTING WITH MALAISE, PLEURITIS AND THORACIC BACK PAIN

A patient with chronic idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis (MF)without concomitant retroperitoneal fibrosis is reported. Hepresented with pleuritis, malaise and pain and stiffness inthe thoracic spine. During the 3.5 years of observation no clinicalsigns of obstruction of adjacent visceral structures in thechest cavity have developed. The diagnosis was made by CF, X-raysof the chest remained normal throughout the observation period,except for thickening of the involved pleura. The administrationof high doses of oral corticosteroids did not appear to influenceeither clinical symptoms or the manifestations of MF as seenby CT. KEY WORDS: Mediastinal fibrosis, Pleuritis, Back pain