title: [Hydatid cyst of the mediastinum: 14 case reports].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to describe the different radiological features of the hydatid cyst of the mediastinum.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study on 14 patients (seven women, seven men), diagnosed with mediastinal hydatid cyst, aged 13-67 years (mean, 48 years) over a period of 16 years in our hospital where 71 cases of hydatid disease are annually diagnosed. The patients were explored by chest radiography (n=14), chest ultrasonography (n=10), abdomen ultrasonography (n=14), computed tomography (CT scan) (n=13), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n=8).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The chest x-ray showed an opacity of the anterior (n=11), middle (n=1), and posterior (n=1) mediastinum. The thoracic ultrasound confirmed the liquid nature of the mass with a multivesicular aspect (n=9). CT and thoracic MRI made it possible to precisely locate the mediastinal compartment involved and study the relationship to adjacent structures. A purely mediastinal location was found in only six cases. In the remaining cases, it was associated with hepatic (n=7) and pleural (n=1) locations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hydatid cysts of the mediastinum are very uncommon. Diagnosis can be made by chest sonography. CT scan is the main tool for diagnosis and the study of possible extension. Our study showed a more frequent location to the anterior mediastinum.
authors.affiliation: Service d'imagerie médicale Hôpital Abderrahmane Mami, Ariana, 2080-Tunisie. asma1634@rns.tn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zidi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zannad-Hantous
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mestiri
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghrairi
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baccouche
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Djilani
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ben Miled Mrad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography