Fibrosing mediastinitis--a rare cause of superior vena caval obstruction.

A rare case of fibrosing mediastinitis, possibly of tuberculous etiology, causing superior vena caval obstruction is presented. The diagnosis was based on clinical features of superior vena caval obstruction, chest radiography, phlebography and mediastinal calcification in absence of definite mass lesion on CT-scan of thorax. The disease followed a relatively benign non-progressive course over next nineteen months of follow-up.

Clinical, haemodynamic and echocardiographic study in chronic cor pulmonale.

Thirty patients of chronic cor pulmonale were studied clinically and by chest skiagram, electrocardiography, echocardiography, pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analysis and, wherever possible by right heart catheterization. Pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP) correlated significantly only with cardiomegaly on skiagram and with arterial oxygen tension (PaO2). There was no significant correlation between mean PA pressures and prominent pulmonary conus on RVH by ECG, FEV1, PaCO2 or right ventricular outflow tract dimensions by echocardiography. Left ventricular function, as assessed by pulmonary capillary wedge pressure on cardiac catheterization, by LV ejection fraction and fractional shortening on echocardiography was normal in all cases except two (6.67%). There was significant increase in left ventricular posterior wall thickness in the patients studied.

Cardiac tamponade--an unusual presentation of lymphoma.

A rare instance of lymphoma in an adult presenting as cardiac tamponade is presented. Relevant literature is briefly reviewed.