Mediastinal fibrosis and radiofrequency radiation exposure: is there an association?

Respiration. 1992;59(3):181-4. doi: 10.1159/000196054.

Abstract

A 45-year-old officer, working for a period of 18 years at a military radar base, presented with progressive exertional dyspnea, dry cough, and hemoptysis. Subsequent evaluation demonstrated a left pulmonary artery occlusion as well as a left upper lobe bronchus stenosis, due to a dense fibrotic mediastinal mass. Histologically, this proved to be idiopathic mediastinal fibrosis (IMF). The development of IMF in a man exposed for a long period to radio-frequency radiation (RFR) is unique in the literature in English. The possible association of radiation exposure with IMF is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angiography, Digital Subtraction
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Mediastinal Diseases / etiology*
  • Mediastinal Diseases / pathology
  • Mediastinum / pathology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / pathology
  • Radar*
  • Radio Waves / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed