Keywords:
Neoplasia, Staging, Diagnostic procedure, Ultrasound, MR, CT, Thorax, Paediatric, Mediastinum, Pathology
Authors:
Z. Qechchar, R. Taoussi, D. LAOUDIYI, K. Chbani, S. Salam, L. OUZIDANE; Casablanca/MA
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2019/C-3721
Aims and objectives
The mediastinum is that space within the thoracic cavity that is bounded anteriorly by the sternum,
posteriorly by the paravertebral gutters and ribs,
superiorly by the thoracic inlet,
and inferiorly by the diaphragm.1 This space is divided into four regions relative to the pericardial sac: superior,
anterior,
middle,
and posterior (Fig.1).
Fig. 1
Mediastinal masses in children may represent congenital anomalies,
infections,
and benign and malignant neoplasms.
Pseudomasses can pose diagnostic challenges to the unwary eye.
Mediastinal masses in children have many similarities to those in adults; the mediastinal compartment where the mass is predominately located remains the beginning point.
In addition,
the incidence of malignancy among the various compartment locations varies between adults and children.
However,
similar to adults,
most mediastinal tumors and cysts require excision.
In both asymptomatic and symptomatic children with mediastinal masses,
CT scan plays a paramount role by providing precise information regarding location,
appearance,
size,
and relationship to the adjacent mediastinal structures as well as detecting metastases.
The purpose of our study is to remind compartmental radioanatomy of the mediastinum.
to specify the contribution of imaging in the positive and etiological diagnosis of mediastinal masses and to establish a decision algorithm of a mediastinal mass in the pediatric population.