Evaluation of mediastinal masses using computed tomography

The Objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of the diagnosis of mediastinal masses by Computed Tomography and to correlate its findings with histopathology. This study reviews the variety of the disease processes involving the mediastinum. Emphasis is based on illustrating the specific diagnostic CT features and its correlation with histopathology findings that allow one to distinguish between the different types of mediastinal masses. Total Number of 30 cases referred to the department of Radio-Diagnosis for clinically suspected Mediastinal masses at Teaching and General Hospital over a period of one year were included in the study. In our study, anterior mediastinum was the most commonly involved compartment, followed by superior mediastinum, posterior mediastinum and middle mediastinum. Lymphoma is most common lesion in anterior mediastinum and superior mediastinum, Teratoma in middle mediastinum and Schwannoma in posterior mediastinum. We conclude that computed tomography definitely has a major role to play in the evaluation of a mediastinal mass regarding the compartmental distribution, mass effect upon adjacent structure and provisional diagnosis.