- •Chest Imaging
- •Foreword
- •Preface
- •Educational Support and Funding
- •Acknowledgments
- •Contents
- •Fundamentals > Chest Primer Presentation
- •Chest X-Ray Interpretation Self-Study Instructions
- •Using the RoboChest Website
- •Decision Tree Algorithms to Help Solidify Concepts
- •References
- •Comprehensive Review of Search Patterns
- •Search Pattern Mnemonic
- •Interpretive Approach to CXR
- •Applying the Mnemonic to the Search Pattern
- •Chest Primer Presentation
- •References
- •Introduction and Terminology
- •Chest Imaging Terminology
- •Mach Effect on CXR
- •Trachea and Lungs on CXR
- •Mediastinal Anatomy on CXR
- •The Hilum (Plural: Hila)
- •Pulmonary Arteries and Veins
- •Normal Lung Markings
- •Vessel Size
- •Quiz Yourself: Mediastinum Lines, Edges
- •Shoulder Anatomy
- •Reference
- •Abnormal Lung Parenchyma
- •Mass
- •Mass Considerations
- •Size
- •Mass Characteristics
- •Malignancy
- •Case 4.1
- •Metastatic
- •Case 4.2
- •Bronchial Carcinoid
- •Radiological Signs
- •Case 4.3
- •Granulomatous Disease
- •Infectious Granulomatous Disease
- •Case 4.4
- •Non-infectious Granulomatous Disease
- •Benign Neoplasm
- •Hamartoma
- •Case 4.6
- •Congenital Abnormality
- •Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations
- •Case 4.7
- •Consolidation
- •Consolidative Radiological Findings/Distribution
- •Consolidative Model
- •Blood (Hemorrhage)
- •Case 4.8
- •Pus (Exudate)
- •Case 4.9
- •Case 4.10
- •Water (Transudate)
- •Pulmonary Edema
- •Case 4.11
- •Case 4.12
- •Protein (Secretions)
- •Case 4.13 (see Figs. 4.38 and 4.39)
- •Cells (Malignancy)
- •Interstitial
- •Radiological Signs
- •Linear Form: Lines
- •Case 4.14
- •Nodular Form: Dots
- •Case 4.15
- •Reticulo-Nodular Form
- •Pneumoconiosis
- •Case 4.16
- •Case 4.17
- •Destructive Fibrotic Lung
- •Case 4.18
- •Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
- •Case 4.19
- •Vascular Pattern
- •Normal Pulmonary Vascular Anatomic Review
- •Radiological Signs in the Vascular Pattern
- •Mechanism
- •Vascular Examples
- •Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)
- •Case 4.20
- •Pulmonary Venous Congestion
- •Pulmonary Venous Congestion: Edema
- •Emphysema
- •Airway (Bronchial) Patterns
- •Complete Obstruction
- •Lobar Atelectasis (Collapse)
- •Signs
- •Lobar Atelectasis Patterns
- •Complete Obstruction: Case Study
- •Partial Obstruction
- •Radiological Signs
- •Bronchial Wall Thickening
- •Bronchial Wall Thickening Causes
- •Bronchial Wall Thickening Model
- •Bronchiolar
- •Case 4.21
- •References
- •Pleural Effusion
- •Case 5.1
- •Technique and Positioning Revisited
- •Case 5.2
- •Comparison of Effusions over Time
- •Loculated Fluid/Pseudotumor
- •Case 5.3
- •Case 5.4
- •Thickening
- •Pneumothorax
- •Fluid and Air
- •Analogous Model
- •References
- •Anterior Mediastinal Mass
- •Case 6.1
- •Middle Mediastinal Mass
- •Posterior Mediastinal Mass
- •Case 6.2
- •Mediastinal Enlargement
- •Case 6.3
- •Reference
- •Case 7.1
- •Lines and Tubes
- •References
- •Appendix
- •Appendix 1: Glossary and Abbreviations
- •Appendix 2: Sources and Additional References
- •Text Sources
- •Image Sources
- •Additional References
- •Chest Imaging References
- •Chest Imaging Online References
- •Index
Posterior Mediastinal Mass |
125 |
Posterior Mediastinal Mass
The middle mediastinal region includes the following:
•Bounded anteriorly by the pericardium and vertical portion of diaphragm, laterally by the mediastinal pleura, and posteriorly by the thoracic vertebrae. It contains the esophagus, descending aorta, azygous and hemiazygous veins, thoracic duct, autonomic nerves, fat, and lymph nodes.
There are a number of causes of posterior mediastinal masses. You can use the mnemonic NECO to help you remember the overall differential.
N – Neurogenic
•Nerve root tumors
•Ganglion tumors
•Paragangliomas
•Lateral meningocele
E – Esophageal
•Esophageal carcinoma
•Benign esophageal neoplasm
•Hiatal hernia
•Pulsion diverticuli
•Achalasia
•Esophageal varices
C – Cysts
•Duplication cysts
•Enteric cysts
•Neurenteric cysts
•Bronchogenic cysts
O – Others
•Extralobar sequestration – 2/3 in lower lobes
•Inflammation
•Vascular lesions
•Trauma
•Abdominal origin posterior masses, e.g., Bochdalek hernia
Case 6.2
Figure 6.2 show CXRs demonstrating a partially circumscribed mass
The Fig. 6.2c is a CT of the same patient showing an irregular mass emanating from the esophagus, consistent with an esophageal stromal tumor (confirmed by surgery).