Читать книгу Respiratory Medicine - Stephen J. Bourke - Страница 113

Metastatic tumour or lymphomatous involvement of the mediastinal lymph nodes are the most common causes of mediastinal masses but there are a number of other diseases that may cause mediastinal masses (Fig. 4.9). Thymic tumours, thyroid masses and dermoid cysts are most commonly situated in the anterior mediastinum whereas neural lesions (e.g. neurofibroma) and oesophageal cysts are often situated posteriorly. Aneurysmal enlargement of the aorta or ventricle may produce masses in the middle compartment of the mediastinum. CT scans are helpful in delineating the anatomy of mediastinal lesions. Thoracotomy with surgical excision is often necessary.