Imaging of the mediastinum and hila.

This review covers the papers that we believe represent the most interesting and innovative developments in hilar and mediastinal imaging over the past year. One of the most exciting of these is the expanded role for sonography in imaging extracardiac mediastinal pathology. A number of reports highlight its use in directing mediastinal biopsy, for tissue characterization, and for staging lymphoma. The comparative merits of CT and MR imaging in staging bronchogenic carcinoma have been further clarified. The past year has also seen further attempts to characterize tumor versus postobstructive pneumonitis or collapse using MR imaging and CT. Other useful clinical work includes the documentation of signs distinguishing paramediastinal lung masses from primary mediastinal pathology. References are also made to clinically relevant aspects of MR scanning and advances in imaging of the airway, particularly cine and high-resolution CT of the trachea.