Diagnostic imaging of mediastinal masses in children

Mediastinal masses are the most common thoracic masses in children. The encyclopedic list of diagnostic considerations can be distilled into a concise and practical differential diagnosis based on the location of the mass and the established prevalence of various tumors and pseudotumors in the mediastinal compartments. Malignant lymphoma, benign thymic enlargement, teratomas, foregut cysts, and neurogenic tumors make up 80% of mediastinal masses in children. Continuing advances in imaging technology have altered traditional approaches to the evaluation and diagnosis of mediastinal masses in children. Plain chest radiography remains the basic imaging examination to define location and morphology. Cross-sectional imaging subsequently clarifies the morphology and extent of the mass. In general, CT is the primary cross-sectional imaging procedure in the evaluation of most mediastinal masses in children. Exceptions to this rule include MR in children with posterior mediastinal masses or suspected vascular lesions: in such cases, MR imaging is the preferred initial postradiographic examination. Sonographic examination may be diagnostic in foregut cysts and some other mediastinal masses. Gallium-67 scintigraphy has an emerging role in management of malignant lymphoma.