Pictorial Review of Mediastinal Masses with an Emphasis on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Author: Jin Wang PARK ¹ ; Won Gi JEONG ; Jong Eun LEE ; Hyo-jae LEE ; So Yeon KI ; Byung Chan LEE ; Hyoung Ook KIM ; Seul Kee KIM ; Suk Hee HEO ; Hyo Soon LIM ; Sang Soo SHIN ; Woong YOON ; Yong Yeon JEONG ; Yun-Hyeon KIM
Author Information

1. Department of Radiology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
Publication Type:Pictorial Essay
From:Korean Journal of Radiology 2021;22(1):139-154
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a crucial tool for evaluating mediastinal masses considering that several lesions that appear indeterminate on computed tomography and radiography can be differentiated on MRI. Using a three-compartment model to localize the mass and employing a basic knowledge of MRI, radiologists can easily diagnose mediastinal masses. Here, we review the use of MRI in evaluating mediastinal masses and present the images of various mediastinal masses categorized using the International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group’s three-compartment classification system. These masses include thymic hyperplasia, thymic cyst, pericardial cyst, thymoma, mediastinal hemangioma, lymphoma, mature teratoma, bronchogenic cyst, esophageal duplication cyst, mediastinal thyroid carcinoma originating from ectopic thyroid tissue, mediastinal liposarcoma, mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst, neurogenic tumor, meningocele, and plasmacytoma.