Mediastinal tumors: evaluation with suprasternal sonography.

Twelve patients with mediastinal masses evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and histologically verified were evaluated sonographically by means of the suprasternal approach. Eleven of 12 mediastinal tumors could be visualized sonographically, mainly as hypoechoic and perivascularly situated masses, and could be located topographically with a fair degree of certainty. Suprasternal sonography is particularly useful in the detection of small, perivascular lymphomas of the supraaortic branches. In patients with problematic CT findings, particularly children and patients with allergies to contrast media, suprasternal sonography can provide important additional information. Moreover, suprasternal sonography can be used to determine the consistency and to monitor the treatment of mediastinal tumors. Finally, the suprasternal approach is suitable for sonographically guided biopsies of mediastinal tumors.