Sagittal and coronal CT reconstruction for demonstration of subcarinal adenopathy

Although standard sequential axial transverse images of the thorax obtained at 10 mm intervals are usually diagnostic for subcarinal lymph node enlargement, we have found reconstruction of the subcarinal area in both sagittal and coronal computed tomographic (CT) projections to provide a useful format for further defining important anatomic relationships. The normal CT anatomy of the subcarinal area is defined and contrasted with the appearance of adenopathy, esophageal cancer, and left atrial enlargement in various reconstructed formats. The clinical application of such imaging is useful in selected cases. Therefore, radiologists monitoring chest CT should perform appropriate reconstructions when indicated.