Mediastinal Masses

The mediastinum is defined as the thoracic region limited by the pleural spaces laterally, the ster- num anteriorly, the vertebral column posteriorly, the thoracic inlet superiorly, and the diaphragm inferiorly. The mediastinum contains different types of tissue including the thymus gland, part of trachea and esophagus, the great vessels, the heart, lymph nodes, fat, and nerves. Mediastinal masses can derive from each of those tissue and can be malformative, neoplastic, or infective

Anterior Mediastinal Tumors

The mediastinum is the most common site of chest masses in children. Mediastinal masses are placed in one of three mediastinal compartments (anterior, middle, posterior) on the basis of a lateral chest radiograph. They comprise a wide spectrum of disease, and around 40% occur in children aged <2 years of age