title: Pictorial essay of radiological features of benign intrathoracic masses.
abstract: With increased exposure of patients to routine imaging, incidental benign intrathoracic masses are frequently recognized. Most have classical imaging features, which are pathognomonic for their benignity. The aim of this pictorial review is to educate the reader of radiological features of several types of intrathoracic masses. The masses are categorized based on their location/origin and are grouped into parenchymal, pleural, mediastinal, or bronchial. Thoracic wall masses that invade the thorax such as neurofibromas and lipomas are included as they may mimic intrathoracic masses. All examples are illustrated and include pulmonary hamartoma, pleural fibroma, sarcoidosis, bronchial carcinoid, and bronchoceles together with a variety of mediastinal cysts on plain radiographs, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sometimes a multimodality approach would be needed to confirm the diagnosis in atypical cases. The study would include the incorporation of radionuclide studies and relevant discussion in a multidisciplinary setting.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Radiologist, Radiology Department, North Manchester General Hospital, Acute Pennine NHS Trust, Crumpsal, Manchester M8 6RB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Syahminan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suut
authors.affiliation: Specialist Registrar in Radiology, North Manchester General Hospital, Delaunays Road M8 5RB, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Zeid
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Al-Ani
authors.affiliation: Clinical Director, Acute Pennine NHS Trust, Crumpsal, Manchester M8 6RB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Cardiothoracic Imaging, Radiology Department, Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.
authors.forename: Prabhakar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rajiah
authors.affiliation: Director, Multan Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy, Nishtar Hospital, Multan 60000, Pakistan.
authors.lastname: Durr-E-Sabih
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Pulmonary Division, King Saud University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Harbi
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Pulmonary Division, King Saud University for Health Sciences, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Hamdan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Jahdali
authors.affiliation: Consultant Radiologist, Radiology Department, North Manchester General Hospital, Acute Pennine NHS Trust, Crumpsal, Manchester M8 6RB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ali Nawaz
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Khan
keywords: Intrathoracic masses; pulmonary mass; radiology