CT-based mediastinal compartment classifications and differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors

Division of the mediastinum into compartments is used to help narrow down the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors, assess tumor growth, and plan biopsies and surgical procedures. There are several traditional mediastinal compartment classification systems based upon anatomical landmarks and lateral chest radiograph. Recently, the Japanese Association of Research of the Thymus (JART) and the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) proposed new mediastinal compartment classification systems based on transverse CT images. These CT-based classification systems are useful for more consistent and exact diagnosis of mediastinal tumors. In this article, we review these CT-based mediastinal compartment classifications in relation to the differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors.