[Fatty masses in the mediastinum. A report on 21 cases including 16 after computer tomography investigations (author's transl)].

The authors use this term to describe collections of fatty material in the tissues, circumscribed or not, which may cause permanent deformity of the mediastinum. This definition may not be based upon histological examinations but it is perfectly appropriate following the recent use of computer tomography (CAT) investigations. The authors base their comments on the study of 21 cases divisible into two groups of unequal size: in 5 cases, studied without using CAT, diagnosis was made during operation; in the 16 other cases it was made by CAT. The masses may be circumscribed or not, but mixed forms have been observed. Among the circumscribed masses. Those in the right cardiophrenic region appear to be the frequent and are observed mainly in women: a retrocardiac location implies than an associated hiatus hernia must be searched for; the mediastinoparietal reduplicated form being rarely seen. The spreading types are noted mainly in men and occur usually in the superior or median part of the mediastinum. These masses can be demonstrated and diagnosis simplified by the use of CAT, as it is a truly specific radiological examination which eliminates the use of tomography, pneumomediastinum, and angiography as diagnostic procedures. Surgical operation is no longer practiced for diagnostic purposes and can be avoided in very many cases.