Mediastinal masses: magnetic resonance imaging in comparison with computed tomography

Seventy-eight patients with mediastinal abnormalities were imaged with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate mediastinal masses and associated lung, pleural, or chest wall disease. Magnetic resonance images were compared with computed tomography (CT) scans, which were available in 45 patients. While MRI and CT were equally effective in demonstrating mediastinal lesions, CT was superior for displaying calcification within a mass in eight patients and for demonstrating associated lung abnormality in four patients. Computed tomography should remain the imaging procedure of choice after chest radiography to evaluate mediastinal masses, although MRI may be indicated in selected patients.