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Effectiveness of Steroid Treatment for Hoarseness Caused by Idiopathic Fibrosing Mediastinitis: Report of a Case

Surgery Today volume 36, pages 382–384 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman was referred to our department for investigation and treatment of hoarseness. A chest computed tomography (CT) scan showed a mediastinal mass spreading into the aortopulmonary window. This finding and that of flexible laryngoscopy suggested that the hoarseness was being caused by left recurrent nerve involvement resulting in left vocal cord paralysis. Thus, we performed a mediastinoscopic biopsy via a parasternal incision. Pathological examination revealed dense fibrous tissue infiltrated with varied inflammatory cells. Because no etiological pathogen or neoplastic lesion was identified, we diagnosed idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis and began treating the patient with prednisolone. After a course of treatment, the mediastinal lesion showed a remarkable response. The hoarseness resolved as the lesion became smaller. Laryngoscopy confirmed recuperation of vocal cord function. This report shows that steroid therapy is a treatment option for hoarseness caused by recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement of fibrosing mediastinitis, if administered under close observation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Hideo Ichimura, Shigemi Ishikawa, Tatsuo Yamamoto, Masataka Onizuka & Yuzuru Sakakibara

  2. Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Yukinori Inadome & Masayuki Noguchi

Authors
  1. Hideo Ichimura
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  2. Shigemi Ishikawa
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  3. Tatsuo Yamamoto
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  4. Masataka Onizuka
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  5. Yukinori Inadome
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  6. Masayuki Noguchi
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  7. Yuzuru Sakakibara
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Ichimura, H., Ishikawa, S., Yamamoto, T. et al. Effectiveness of Steroid Treatment for Hoarseness Caused by Idiopathic Fibrosing Mediastinitis: Report of a Case. Surg Today 36, 382–384 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-005-3161-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00595-005-3161-x

Key words

  • Fibrosing mediastinitis
  • Hoarseness
  • Steroid therapy