Mediastinal mass: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
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. | 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: [[Anterior mediastinum|Prevascular]], [[Middle mediastinum|visceral]] and [[Posterior mediastinum|paravertebral]]. | ||
==Classification== | ==Classification== | ||
The three-compartment cross-sectional imaging classification of the mediastinum developed by ITMIG: | |||
* Prevascular (anterior) | |||
* Visceral (middle) | |||
* Paravertebral (posterior) compartments | |||
{| | {| | ||
! colspan="3" style="background:#4479BA; color: #FFFFFF;" align="center" + |'''Intenational Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) Classification of Mediastinum''' | ! colspan="3" style="background:#4479BA; color: #FFFFFF;" align="center" + |'''Intenational Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) Classification of Mediastinum''' | ||
Revision as of 15:00, 19 February 2019
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Mediastinal mass Microchapters |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Trusha Tank, M.D.[2]
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.
Classification
The three-compartment cross-sectional imaging classification of the mediastinum developed by ITMIG:
- Prevascular (anterior)
- Visceral (middle)
- Paravertebral (posterior) compartments
| Intenational Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) Classification of Mediastinum | ||
|---|---|---|
| Compartments | Boundaries | Components |
| Prevascular |
|
|
| Visceral |
|
Non vascular:
Vascular:
|
| Paravertebral |
|
|
| Adapted from Radiographics | ||