[Aggressive mediastinal fibrosis, a rare cause of superior vena cava obstruction--case report and review of the literature].

An aggressive mediastinal fibrosis was found to be a cause of superior vena caval obstruction in 1 to 2% of patients. Symptoms can be discrete for a long time, but the progressing disease can cause many symptoms. A 56-year-old man who, for half a year, suffered from thoracic pain during deep inspiration, and then rapidly developed superior vena caval obstruction caused by aggressive mediastinal fibrosis is discussed. The operative treatment consisted in complete replacement of the superior vena cava.