CT EVALUATION OF MEDIASTINAL MASSES IN CHILDREN - SPECTRUM OF DISEASEWITH PATHOLOGICAL CORRELATION

The mediastinum is the site of a variety of benign and malignant patho logical processes in children. While the chest radiograph may be the i nitial imaging study to suggest an abnormality, spiral or helical CT p rovides detailed depiction of anatomic relationships and characteristi cs of the mass, and may increase the likelihood of a successful examin ation because of shorter scan times. This article will emphasize the i mportant CT features in the evaluation of common and uncommon mediasti nal masses in children. Pathologic correlation is presented for greate r understanding. In many clinical settings, CT features such as attenu ation, enhancement, calcification, anatomic relationships and extent o f disease may suggest a specific diagnosis for a mediastinal mass in a child.