IMAGING FINDINGS IN GIANT PSEUDOTUMORAL PARAESOPHAGEAL VARICES

We report a case of variceal changes of the azygos vein, hemiazygos ve in, and paraesophageal collaterals presenting as bilateral posterior m ediastinal masses in a patient with long-standing portal hypertension due to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. The case is unusual because the varices were considerably larger than those usually encountered in por tal hypertension. Dynamic CT allowed the diagnosis in demonstrating th e vascular nature of these masses, which enhanced to the same degree a s the other vessels. Noninvasive techniques, such as color Doppler son ography and MRI, may also be useful due to their multiplanar capabilit ies.