Retrospective evaluation of mediastinal masses MDCT (Multidedector computed tomography) images

Aim: We aimed to retrospectively analyzed the data of patients admitted for investigation ofmediastinal mass and in whom 64-detector row computed tomography (CT) findings and ahistologic diagnosis was available.Material and methods: CT findings of 170 cases admitted to Dicle University Faculty ofMedicine Department of Radiology between January 2007- December 2010 with primarymediastinal mass on CT were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical records, surgical records,pathology reports of all cases were investigated. Forty of these subjects in whom CT, surgeryand biopsy results were available were included to this study.Results: Twenty-four of cases were female (60%) and 16 (40%) were male. The commonfinal diagnosis were mediastinal cyst (n=8, 20%), lymphoma (n=8, 20%), lesion originatedfrom thymus (n=6, 15%), mesenchymal tumors (n=6, 15%), and neurogenic tumor (n=4,10%). Others were granulomatous lymphadenitis (n=3, 7.5%), germ cell tumors (n=2, 5%),intrathoracic goitre (n=2, 5%), and Castleman s disease (n=1, 2.5%). Lesions were locatedmostly at anterior mediastinum.Conclusion: Computed tomography of thorax provides valuable information regardinglocalization of mediastinal lesions, size of the lesion, it s relations with anatomic structures,the density of mass, presence of liquid, presence of calcification and it s shape. In addition, itcontribute to surgical approach by more precisely defining the resectability of the mass andrelationship of the mass with surrounding structures.