Subdivision of the Mediastinum (Differential Diagnosis Mediastinal Tumor)

Topographical subdivision of the mediastinum for a radiological differential diagnosis of mediastinal tumors. Most symptoms of mediastinal tumors are unspecific and may be attributed to multiple pathologies. In case of a radiologically visible mediastinal tumor, the site of the mass in the anterior, middle or posterior mediastinum allows a restriction of the possible tumors, and few have to be considered. In the anterior mediastinum (vM) there are mainly teratoma, dermoid cysts, and thymic pathologies. In the middle mediastinum (mM) there occur mainly inflammatory and neoplastic lymphadenopathies, bronchogenic cysts, and cystic lymphangioma. To the posterior mediastinum (hM) belong mainly neurogenic tumors and enteric duplication cysts.