[Enteric mediastinal cysts in children (author's transl)]

Primary mediastinal tumors are rare, especially in children, one fifth of them being cystic. Clinical and radiographic findings in 7 patients with mediastinal cysts are reported. Emphasis is placed upon the role of the radiologist to properly place the lesion into one of the three compartments of the mediastinum, which should even be possible for a mass in the upper mediastinum--above the line of capeabody. If a mass is established as belonging to the middle mediastinum, then there the probability is high of it being cystic and benign; and aggressive extensive radiographic workup can be spared preoperatively without significant risk to the patient.