Expression of transforming growth factor β in idiopathic fibrosing mediastinitis

Fibrosing mediastinitis is an extremely rare disease in which fibrous tissue is formed progressively within the mediastinum due to various causes. Here, we report two cases of the idiopathic form of fibrosing mediastinitis. We investigated the pathogenesis of fibrosing mediastinitis by immunohistochemical methods, and demonstrated the expression of transforming growth factor β in this disease. These results suggest that transforming growth factor β plays an important role in the pathogenesis of fibrosing mediastinitis.