Validity of Multi-Slice Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Mediastinal Mass Lesions

The present study aimed to present computed tomography (CT) scan characteristics of different mediastinal masses in children to correlate CT findings of the mediastinal masses with histopathology; we also sought to differentiate between benign and malignant mediastinal mass lesions based on CT findings. This prospective cohort study analyzed 60 patients who underwent multi-slice CT scan for characterization of mediastinal mass. Subsequently, imaging findings were verified with pathological diagnosis. The median age of the patients was 5.3 years. The common symptoms among these patients were cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fever. There were 24 benign (40%) and 36 (60%) malignant cases. According to their origins, 20 (33.3%) presented as neurogenic tumors, 16 (26.7%) as lymphomas, (15%) as germ cell tumors 9, and the remaining 15 (25%) as tumors: thymic pathologies, lymphangiomas, and bronchogenic cyst. 22 (36.7%) tumors were located in the posterior mediastinum, followed by 21 (35%) in the anterior mediastinum and 11 (18.3%) in the middle mediastinum. CT scan was found to be able to distinguish specific tissue densities and their ability to display mediastinum in axial plane. Reconstruction in sagital and coronal planes makes it a useful technique for the evaluation of a mediastinal mass.