IMAGING OF THORACOABDOMINAL MASSES - THE DIFFICULTY OF COMPARTMENTALIZATION

Over the past 3 years we have encountered eight cases of masses in the thoracoabdominal junction or paradiaphragmatic region. To determine e xact compartmentalization of the tumors prior to treatment, a detailed imaging evaluation, including conventional radiography, ultrasound, c omputerized tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, was conducted. Despite these extensive examinations, we erred in three cases with re gard to the compartmental limitation of the tumors. The imaging pictur e of para- or transdiaphragmatic penetration of masses can be very mis leading and is at times resolved only at surgery.