title: Imaging of Thoracic Neurogenic Tumors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Thoracic neurogenic neoplasms may be a diagnostic challenge both clinically and radiologically, ranging from benign, incidentally discovered tumors to aggressive, symptomatic malignancies. These tumors may originate from any nervous structure within the chest and are derived from cells of the nerve sheath, autonomic ganglia, or paraganglia. The nervous anatomy of the thorax is complex, and neurogenic tumors may be found in any mediastinal compartment or in the chest wall. Furthermore, neurogenic tumors may indicate one of many syndromes, particularly when they are multiple.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article illustrates the complex anatomy of the nervous system within the chest and details important epidemiologic and pathophysiologic features as an approach to neurogenic tumors of the thorax. Key imaging features of neurogenic tumors occurring in the chest are identified, focusing on distinguishing characteristics and the relative advantages of available imaging modalities to further refine a differential diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Radiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20889.
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pavlus
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030.
authors.forename: Brett W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Radiology, 35th Medical Group, Misawa Airbase, Japan.
authors.forename: Marc D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Tolley
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Pathology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: Elaine S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Keung
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Radiology, Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khorashadi
authors.affiliation: 6 Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD.
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lichtenberger
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D035441:Thoracic Wall / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation
keywords: ganglioneuroblastoma; ganglioneuroma; neuroblastoma; neurofibroma; neurogenic tumors; schwannoma; thorax