Superior mediastinal widening from traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak

A rare cause of superior mediastinal widening from traumatic extravasation of cerebrospinal fluid is reported in two children following automobile accidents. Radiographic findings include widened superior mediastinum evolving during the immediate posttrauma phase, pleural effusion, and CSF leak into the superior mediastinum on metrizamide CT myelogram. Both children had neurologic deficits of the lower extremities.