Idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis with esophageal varices: A case report

Fibrosing mediastinitis (FM) is a rare cause of lung fibrosis with multiple etiologies ranging from infectious to autoimmune to idiopathic. Common causes of FM include histoplasmosis and a relatively new cause of IgG4-related disease. We present a 55-year-old male with symptoms of esophageal varices, intractable hiccups, and progressive difficulty in breathing. A chest X-ray showed right lung fibrosis with pleural effusion and loss of lung volume, which was originally thought to be the sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 or metastasis, but computed tomography of the chest revealed FM. His variceal bleeding was controlled, and he was discharged home. However, treatment for FM was not pursued because the cause was not identified. Using corticosteroids may not cease the progression of the disease, and surgical options are available when symptoms persist. Idiopathic FM requires laboratory and radiological findings to exclude relevant differential diagnoses.