Mediastinal mass

Overview
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. As, it inhabits lot of important structures, it is the site of involvement of various tumors.

Differential Diagnosis of a Mediastinal Mass
In alphabetical order.


 * Anthrax: This is a classic finding associated with inhalational anthrax. A widened mediastinum was found in 7 of the first 10 victims infected by anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) in 2001.
 * Aortic dissection
 * Bronchogenic cyst
 * Churg-Strauss syndrome
 * Dermoid cyst
 * Esophageal achalasia
 * Esophageal cancer
 * Esophageal rupture
 * Goitre
 * Hiatus hernia
 * Hilar lymphadenopathy
 * Lymphoma
 * Mediastinal germ cell tumor
 * Mediastinal tumor
 * Mediastinal mass
 * Mediastinitis
 * Neurilemmoma
 * Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
 * Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection
 * Pericardial effusion
 * Pneumomediastinum
 * Sarcoidosis
 * Superior vena cava obstruction
 * Supine AP chest x ray can yield a false positive "widened mediastinum": Among patients who have sustained blunt traum, AP chest radiographs are often obtained in the supine position to maintain spinal precautions. This supine position may result in fluid shifts that are in turn associated with a widening of the mediastinum. After the spine had been "cleared", some authors recommend repeating the chest X ray with the patient in the erect position which results in normalization of the mediastinal size in around 40% of patients.
 * Teratoma
 * Thymoma
 * Thyroid cancer
 * Tularemia