[Mediastinal sonography in childhood. Results of 310 studies]

Following the performance of 310 mediastinal ultrasonograms over 3 years in children up to an age of 15 years, the authors report on the indication applied, their methods, and the results. Sonography allows an easy approach to upper and anterior mediastinal structures in children. Thus, differentiation between a normal thymus and malignant infiltration, which is difficult on plain films, is possible in almost all cases without further radiological examinations. Except in the hilar area, sonography is sufficient to detect lymphomas. In patients with congenital stridor a vascular etiology, e.g. an aberrant brachiocephalic trunk, can be visualized or excluded.