From: Role of diffusion weighted MR-imaging in the evaluation of malignant mediastinal lesions
Compartment | Major contents | Common lesions |
---|---|---|
Anterior (prevascular) | Thymus Fat Lymph nodes Left brachiocephalic vein | • Thymic lesions/masses • Germ cell neoplasms • Lymphoma • Intra-thoracic goiter • Metastatic lymphadenopathy (50% of all mediastinal masses) |
Middle (visceral) | Non-vascular: trachea, carina, esophagus, lymph nodes Vascular: heart, aorta, superior vena cava, intra-pericardial pulmonary arteries, thoracic duct | • Lymphoma • Metastatic lymphadenopathy • Foregut duplication cysts • Tracheal lesions • Esophageal masses • Aortic aneurysms • Cardiac masses • Pericardial masses/cysts (Congenital cysts are the most common) |
Posterior (para-vertebral) | Paravertebral soft tissues | • Benign and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors • Sympathetic ganglia tumors • Lateral thoracic meningocele • Extramedullary hematopoiesis (Neurogenic tumors are the most common) |
 | Central bronchogenic carcinoma may be allocated to/involve any one or more of the three mediastinal compartments. |