Validity of Multi-Slice Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Mediastinal Mass Lesions

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to present computed tomography (CT) scan characteristics of different mediastinal masses in children to correlate CT findings of the mediastinal masses with histopathology; we also sought to differentiate between benign and malignant mediastinal mass lesions based on CT findings. Method: This prospective cohort study analyzed 60 patients who underwent multi-slice CT scan for characterization of mediastinal mass. Subsequently, imaging findings were verified with pathological diagnosis. Results: The median age of the patients was 5.3 years. The common symptoms among these patients were cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fever. There were 24 benign (40%) and 36 (60%) malignant cases. According to their origins, 20 (33.3%) presented as neurogenic tumors, 16 (26.7%) as lymphomas, (15%) as germ cell tumors 9, and the remaining 15 (25%) as tumors: thymic pathologies, lymphangiomas, and bronchogenic cyst. 22 (36.7%) tumors were located in the posterior mediastinum, followed by 21 (35%) in the anterior mediastinum and 11 (18.3%) in the middle mediastinum. Conclusion: CT scan was found to be able to distinguish specific tissue densities and their ability to display mediastinum in axial plane. Reconstruction in sagital and coronal planes makes it a useful technique for the evaluation of a mediastinal mass.

Keywords

• mediastinal mass lesions
• multi-slice computed tomography
• histopathology