[Cystic lymphangioma of the mediastinum. Radiologic data apropos of 7 cases].

Cystic mediastinal lymphangiomas are rare benign uncommon slow-growing tumors. Seven cases of cystic mediastinal lymphangioma in adults are presented. In both cases a mediastinal opacity is evident on plain chest radiographs. Roentgen findings are not specific. The mass is noted to be non-pulsatile, and well circumscribed smooth-surfaced. There are no evidence of invasion to the neighboring structures and no calcification are seen within the lesions. In two patients, sonography examination confirmed the cystic nature of the mass. Four patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan. Ct can offer considerable additional information: CT will show well circumscribed and uniform low density lesions without invasive characteristics. Attenuation values in CT scan cannot be considered conclusive for diagnosis in all cases, on the non contrast scan, attenuation varied between -49 to +27 UH, there was no contrast enhancement.