[False tumor of the posterior mediastinum in a case of portal hypertension (author's transl)].

A man of 37 years of age developed portal hypertension which was observed on radiological examination as a mediastinal opacity having the appearance of a tumor. No oesophageal varices were seen on barium meal examination or by endoscopy. A smooth liver was seen during laparoscopy. Pre-operative hemodynamic studies showed that there was no sinus block. Thoracotomy revealed an aneurysm of the azygos veins. Exploratory laparotomy after coelio-mesenteric arteriography confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse nodular hyperplasia of the liver, cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. The findings in 16 cases of mediastinal opacity from portal hypertension reported in the published literature are discussed.