[Computerized tomography of mediastinal tumors]

Tumors of the mediastinum represent a very heterogeneous group of primary and metastatic tumors. Most tumors of the mediastinum are detected on chest radiography, but for more precise view additional imaging methods are necessary. The most common causes of tumor mass in anterior mediastinum are thymoma, germ cell tumors, retrosternal goitre and Hodgkin's lymphoma. In the middle mediastinum most commonly tumors are congenital cysts, such as bronhogenic and pericardial cysts, and enlarged lymph nodes, while in the posterior mediastinum dominantly present neurogenic tumors. Complex anatomy of mediastinum infrequently makes difficulties in radiological diagnosis of these tumors. Computerized tomography (CT) is a radiological method of choice in the diagnosis of primary and/or secondary mediastinal lesions. Localization and structure of the tumor masses are very important for diagnosis. Knowledge of anatomy, with the standard topographic divisions on the anterior, middle and posterior mediastinum is necessary prerequisite for a valid CT diagnostic. Lesions in all parts of the mediastinum are systematically presented from the aspect of practical recommendations, with a view of the typical pathological findings.