Imaging of the Posterior/Paravertebral Mediastinum

A wide variety of abnormalities may be encountered in the paravertebral mediastinum, ranging from congenital lesions to malignant neoplasms. A combination of localizing mediastinal masses to the paravertebral compartment, characterizing them with cross-sectional imaging techniques, and correlating the imaging findings with demographics and other clinical history typically enables the development of a focused differential diagnosis. Radiologists must be familiar with these concepts in order to help guide subsequent imaging and/or intervention and, when appropriate, treatment planning for neoplasms and other abnormalities.