title: Standard biplane roentgenography is highly sensitive in documenting mediastinal masses.
abstract: The records of 30 patients with mediastinal masses were reviewed to evaluate the signs, symptoms, and preoperative tests that were most useful in diagnosing and localizing the masses. Sixteen (53%) of the tumors were benign, and 14 (47%) were malignant. Twenty patients were seen with symptoms. The most common symptoms suggesting malignancy were pain, weight loss, fever, and cough. Four of the 5 patients who were truly asymptomatic had benign lesions. All 4 patients with palpable adenopathy had malignant tumors. Posteroanterior and lateral chest roentgenograms detected the mediastinal mass in 29 (97%) of the 30 patients. All patients were operated on for tissue diagnosis or resection (13, median sternotomy; 8, right thoracotomy; 3, left thoracotomy; 2, low anterior cervical approach). Eight patients underwent mediastinoscopy, which was diagnostic in 6 and obviated the need for operation in 4. It was of particular value for patients with lymphoma, who can be managed without resection.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013945:Thymoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed