Middle mediastinal lesions: Imaging findings and pathologic correlation

Abstract

Lesions primarily involving the middle mediastinum are uncommon and include lymph node diseases, cystic lesions, neurogenic tumors, mesenchymal tumors, tumors of mediastinal organ, amd other benign processes. In this article, we illustrate imaging findings of a variety of middle mediastinal lesions with pathologic correlation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.The middle mediastinum is defined using Felson's classification which defines the mediastinal compartments using an anatomic classification based on radiographic projection rather than anatomic dissection. Therefore, the middle mediastinum is defined as space between imaginary lines. One along the posterior cardiac border and anterior aspect of the trachea and the other connecting a point on each of the thoracic vertebrae 1 cm behind its anterior margin.