Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
[Lesions of the prevascular mediastinum]
Esther Askani1, Christopher L Schlett1, Fabian Bamberg1
1Klinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106, Freiburg im Breisgau, Deutschland.
Clinical/Methodological Issue:
Mediastinal masses are a group of heterogenous lesions which may be a coincidental finding or present with symptoms. More than half of mediastinal lesions are located in the prevascular mediastinum. As these tumors are not often encountered in clinical routine, making a diagnosis with a high degree of confidence may seem challenging.
Standard Radiological Methods:
The latest computed tomography (CT)-based classification of the mediastinal compartments by the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) moves away from earlier radiograph-based classification systems and helps to reliably classify tumors based on location, although in some cases the lesion can occupy more than one compartment.
Performance:
Radiology plays an important role in the evaluation of anterior mediastinal lesions. Although in some cases imaging features alone allow a diagnosis to be made; in other cases knowledge of important radiological features and their analysis in the context of patient factors like age and duration of symptoms can help to narrow down the differential diagnosis, avoid unnecessary workup, and guide further steps.
Practical Recommendations:
Computed tomography (CT) is central for the characterization of mediastinal masses in clinical routine. In some situations, like in the case of thymic cysts or thymic hyperplasia, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used as a noninvasive problem-solving tool.
Related Concept Videos
Development of the Lymphatic System
The first lymph sacs to form are the paired jugular lymph sacs located at the junction of the internal jugular and subclavian veins. From these sacs, lymphatic capillary plexuses extend to the thorax, upper limbs, neck, and head, eventually forming lymphatic vessels. Each jugular lymph sac maintains a...
Veins of Thorax
The azygos vein, positioned just right of the midline and anterior to the vertebral column, begins at the junction of the right ascending lumbar and subcostal veins, terminating in the superior vena cava. This vein drains blood from the right side of the thoracic wall, thoracic viscera, and posterior abdominal wall.
The...
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Thoracic Aorta
Lymphatic Vessels and Lymph Transport
This one-way system allows fluids, solutes, and even pathogens to enter but prevents their return to the intercellular...
Veins of Head and Neck
On the other hand, the vertebral veins, unlike their arterial counterparts, are not primarily responsible for brain drainage. Instead, they drain the cervical vertebrae, spinal cord, and some small...

