Helpful CT findings for giving specific diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumors

Abstract

Objective: To characterize the CT features of common anterior mediastinal tumors and evaluate CT findings that may help in suggesting specific diagnosis among these tumors. Material and Method: Fifty chest CT studies with pathological diagnosis of thymoma (n = 28), mediastinal germ cell tumor (n = 14) and lymphoma (n = 8) were retrospectively reviewed by two radiologists who were blind to the pathological results. The CT findings of fat, cyst and calcification within the lesion, contrast enhancement, associated intrathoracic findings such as mediastinal invasion and lymph node enlargement were evaluated. Results: Fat density within the mass was present in 57.1% with germ cell tumor, which was significantly higher than other anterior mediastinal tumors (p < 0.05). The presence of associated mediastinal lymphadenopathy was significantly found in lymphoma (75.0%) compared to other tumors (p < 0.05). The other CT findings showed no significant difference among these diseases (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The CT findings that help in giving specific diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumors which are fat attenuation and associated mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The presence of fat attenuation is highly suggestive of germ cell tumor and anterior mediastinal mass associated with mediastinal lymphadenopathy elsewhere is indicative of lymphoma.