Standard biplane roentgenography is highly sensitive in documenting mediastinal masses.

The records of 30 patients with mediastinal masses were reviewed to evaluate the signs, symptoms, and preoperative tests that were most useful in diagnosing and localizing the masses. Sixteen (53%) of the tumors were benign, and 14 (47%) were malignant. Twenty patients were seen with symptoms. The most common symptoms suggesting malignancy were pain, weight loss, fever, and cough. Four of the 5 patients who were truly asymptomatic had benign lesions. All 4 patients with palpable adenopathy had malignant tumors. Posteroanterior and lateral chest roentgenograms detected the mediastinal mass in 29 (97%) of the 30 patients. All patients were operated on for tissue diagnosis or resection (13, median sternotomy; 8, right thoracotomy; 3, left thoracotomy; 2, low anterior cervical approach). Eight patients underwent mediastinoscopy, which was diagnostic in 6 and obviated the need for operation in 4. It was of particular value for patients with lymphoma, who can be managed without resection.