Mediastinal fibrosis most common cause is idiopathic
mediastinal fibrosis; less commonly histoplasmosis tuberculosis or unknown. It is characterized by invasive, calcified fibrosis centered on
lymph nodes
A lymph node, or lymph gland, is a kidney-shaped organ of the lymphatic system and the adaptive immune system. A large number of lymph nodes are linked throughout the body by the lymphatic vessels. They are major sites of lymphocytes that includ ...
that block major vessels and airways. In Europe, this disease is exceptionally rare. More cases are seen in USA where the disease may often be associated with
histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by ''Histoplasma capsulatum''. Symptoms of this infection vary greatly, but the disease affects primarily the lungs. Occasionally, other organs are affected; called disseminated histoplasmosis, it can ...
.
See also
*
Mediastinitis
Mediastinitis is inflammation of the tissues in the mid-chest, or mediastinum. It can be either Acute (medical), acute or Chronic (medical), chronic. It is thought to be due to four different etiologies:
* direct contamination
* hematogenous or Ly ...
References
External links
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Respiratory diseases
Lymphatic organ diseases
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