Computed tomography in the evaluation of mediastinal widening.
Computed tomography was employed in 71 patients to assess a widened mediastinum detected on plain chest radiography. In 92% of the patients, CT correctly identified normal variants, sift-tissue density masses or vascular abnormalities as the cause of mediastinal widening. In 8% of the scans, all performed early in our experience, CT diagnosis was indeterminate (4%) or incorrect (4%). In 58% of the cases, a specific and correct CT diagnosis was made, which obviated further and more invasive diagnostic evaluation. CT scanning can differentiate vascular from avascular causes of mediastinal widening, and provide a specific and conclusive diagnosis in many instances. Invasive diagnostic procedures should be reserved for the few cases in which CT is indeterminate or additional preoperative information is required.
D000368:Aged; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed