title: [Computed tomography of the mediastinum: normal anatomy and non pathologic variations in the adult (author's transl)].
abstract: This work is based on the separate study of a triple material: axial gross body sections from cadavers (4); normal and conventional radiographs with or without opacification; in vivo scans (210). Authors have selectionned thriteen scans patterns according to several regional levels: supra-aortic scans (n08 1, 2, 3); scan through the horizontal part of aortic arch (n0 4B); the scan of the aorto-pulmonary window (n0 4B); supra-cardiac scans through intra and extra-pericardic parts of great vessels: vena cava, aorta and pulmonary artery (n08 5, 6, 7); heart and cardiac cavities scans (n08 8, 9, 10, 11); scan through the retro-crural space (n0 12). Knowing these regional scan patterns, makes it possible to the radiologist to manage a topographic approach quite adapted to the technical mode of direct scannography through the area of interest, already tested by some constructors. The non pathologic variations are numerous. Mediastinal lipomatosis, dilated and tortuous great vessels in the older and atheromatic individual, constitutional variations of the vessels topography. Limits found out during this work concern heart examination and hilum study; great strides are to be achieved in these fields because of the unceasing technical improvments.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008068:Lipomatosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
vernacular_title: Aspects normaux et variations non pathologiques en tomodensitométrie du médiastin chez l'adulte.