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Imaging of Non-thymic Anterior Mediastinal Tumors

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Diagnostic Imaging for Thoracic Surgery

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Abstract

The mediastinum contains a variety of vital structures and organs, including the thymus, lymph nodes, adipose tissues, vascular structures, nerves, and esophagus, all of which can give rise to various masses and other nonneoplastic abnormalities. Imaging is the integral part of the workup for mediastinal tumors, specifically chest computed tomography (CT) and in equivocal cases magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), leading in many cases to a confident presumptive diagnosis, even without necessitating biopsy, surgery, or other confirmatory testing.

In this chapter, we focus on discussing the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of non-thymic tumors, specifically germ cell tumors, lymphoma, and mesenchymal tumors. Although this is discussed in prior chapters, we start by discussing a generalized structured imaging approach that radiologists can use when evaluating anterior mediastinal tumors in general, aided by useful clinical and laboratory information when made available. Thymic benign and malignant tumors are discussed in detail in other chapters.

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Abbreviations

AFP:

Alpha-fetoprotein

CBC:

Complete blood count

CT:

Computed tomography

ESR:

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate

FDG:

Fluorodeoxyglucose

GCT:

Germ cell tumor

HL:

Hodgkin’s lymphoma

HU:

Hounsfield units

LBCL:

Large B-cell lymphoma

LDH:

Lactate dehydrogenase

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

PET/CT:

Positron-emission tomography/computed tomography

SVC:

Superior vena cava

β-hCG:

Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Roy A. Raad

  2. Department of Radiology, St. George Hospital University Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon

    Roy A. Raad

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  1. Roy A. Raad
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Correspondence to Roy A. Raad .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sapienza Università di Roma, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy

    Michele Anzidei

  2. Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Rome Sapienza, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy

    Marco Anile

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Raad, R.A. (2018). Imaging of Non-thymic Anterior Mediastinal Tumors. In: Anzidei, M., Anile, M. (eds) Diagnostic Imaging for Thoracic Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89893-3_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-89893-3_14

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