[A case of chronic fibrosing mediastinitis]

This case report describes a 32-year-old male patient with superior vena cava syndrome due to chronic fibrosing mediastinitis involving superior vena cava, bilateral brachiocephalic, subclavian, and internal jugular veins. Although the ringed ePTFE graft was placed between left internal jugular vein and right atrium twice, it occluded each time. Pathological examination of the removed specimen showed invasion of the fibrous tissue into the lumen of the graft at the anastomotic site and severe fibroelastosis in the intima of the jugular vein. The third reconstruction of the venous system with the ringed ePTFE substitute was done in the same manner. Postoperative venography demonstrated the patent graft and the interruption at the midportion of the left internal jugular vein. The patient remains free from the symptoms one year and nine months after the last operation.