Mediastinal mass: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
The [[mediastinum]] is a non-delineated group of structures in the thorax (chest), surrounded by loose connective tissue. It is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, the great vessels of the heart, esophagus, trachea, thymus, and lymph nodes of the central chest. A wide variety of diseases involving these organs can present as a mediastinal mass or widening of the mediastinum on imaging studies. Mediastinal widening is diagnosed by the mediastinum measuring greater than 8 cm in width on PA chest x-ray. The mediastinal mass may present with symptoms caused by the mass pressing against other organs or even without any symptoms. Mediastinal masses can be differentiated on the basis of location in the mediastinal cavity into 3 groups: Prevascular, visceral and paravertebral.
The [[mediastinum]] is a non-delineated group of structures in the [[Thorax|thorax (chest)]], surrounded by [[loose connective tissue]]. It is the central [[Compartment (anatomy)|compartment]] of the [[thoracic cavity]]. It contains the [[heart]], the [[great vessels]] of the [[heart]], [[esophagus]], [[trachea]], [[thymus]], and [[Lymph node|lymph nodes]] of the [[Mediastinum|central chest]]. A wide variety of [[Mediastinal mass causes|diseases]] involving these organs can present as a mediastinal mass or widening of the [[mediastinum]] on [[imaging studies]]. Mediastinal widening is diagnosed by the [[mediastinum]] measuring greater than 8 cm in width on [[Chest x-ray|PA chest x-ray]]. The mediastinal mass may present with [[Symptom|symptoms]] caused by the [[Tumor|mass]] pressing against other [[Mediastinum|mediastinal structures]] or even without any [[Symptom|symptoms]]. Mediastinal masses can be differentiated on the basis of location in the [[Mediastinum|mediastinal cavity]] into 3 groups: Prevascular, visceral and paravertebral.


{|
{|
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* '''Inferior:''' [[Thoracic diaphragm|Diaphragm]]
* '''Inferior:''' [[Thoracic diaphragm|Diaphragm]]
* '''Anterior:''' Posterior boundaries of the prevascular compartment
* '''Anterior:''' Posterior boundaries of the prevascular compartment
* '''Posterior:''' Vertical line connecting a point on each [[Thoracic vertebrae|thoracic]] [[Body of vertebra|vertebral body]] 1 cm posterior to its origin  
* '''Posterior:''' [[Vertical direction|Vertical]] line connecting a point on each [[Thoracic vertebrae|thoracic]] [[Body of vertebra|vertebral body]] 1 cm posterior to its origin  
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |'''Non vascular:'''
| style="background: #F5F5F5; padding: 5px;" |'''Non vascular:'''
* [[Trachea]]
* [[Trachea]]

Revision as of 14:54, 19 February 2019

Mediastinal mass Microchapters

Home

Overview

Anatomy of Mediastinum

Causes

Differentiating Mediastinal Mass from other Diseases

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Trusha Tank, M.D.[2], Amr Marawan, M.D. [3]

Synonyms and keywords: Mediastinal enlargement; mass in the mediastinum

Overview

The mediastinum is a non-delineated group of structures in the thorax (chest), surrounded by loose connective tissue. It is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, the great vessels of the heart, esophagus, trachea, thymus, and lymph nodes of the central chest. A wide variety of diseases involving these organs can present as a mediastinal mass or widening of the mediastinum on imaging studies. Mediastinal widening is diagnosed by the mediastinum measuring greater than 8 cm in width on PA chest x-ray. The mediastinal mass may present with symptoms caused by the mass pressing against other mediastinal structures or even without any symptoms. Mediastinal masses can be differentiated on the basis of location in the mediastinal cavity into 3 groups: Prevascular, visceral and paravertebral.

Intenational Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) Classification of Mediastinum
Compartments Boundaries Components
Prevascular
Visceral Non vascular:

Vascular:

Paravertebral
Adapted from Radiographics

References