[Computed tomography of the mediastinum (author's transl)]

In a review study, the diagnostic possibilities of modern CT apparatus with scanning times of some seconds were demonstrated. The two main advantages-1) imaging of axial body sections without superimposition and 2) the high resolution of tissue densities-guarantee on the one hand possibility of diagnosis and three dimensional localization of tumors not afforded by conventional radiographic methods, and on the other hand definite qualitative analysis of different disease patterns. This results primarily in precise clarification of both neoplastic and inflammatory mediastinal masses, secondly provides a non-invasive route of investigation of lipomatous and vascular processes, which however still require angiography before surgery. CT appearances of important clinical disease patterns were summarized.