Current use of imaging in the evaluation of primary mediastinal masses.

A wide variety of lesions occur in the mediastinum in patients of every age. Twenty five to 50 percent of these primary mediastinal masses may be malignant, making early diagnosis and therapy crucial. Since most arise from normal structures in the region, localization of lesions to compartments of the mediastinum may assist in diagnosis. This article reviews imaging techniques for lesions originating in the mediastinum.