Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy Presenting With the "Medu Vada Sign"

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Pathology

Background:

• The "Medu Vada" sign is a distinctive radiological finding on axial chest CT scans.
• It is characterized by enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes encircling adjacent structures like airways or the esophagus.

Observation:

• A 55-year-old female presented with constitutional symptoms including chronic cough, weight loss, and fevers.
• Imaging revealed extensive mediastinal adenopathy resembling the "Medu Vada" sign.

Findings:

• Subsequent investigations confirmed tuberculous lymphadenitis as the underlying cause.
• The described imaging pattern is proposed to be formally named the "Medu Vada sign".

Implications:

• Recognizing the "Medu Vada sign" can aid in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal pathologies.
• This sign is particularly valuable in regions where tuberculosis is prevalent.
• It highlights the importance of integrating radiological findings with clinical context for accurate diagnosis.