Mediastinal Widening
Overview
Look For
- The mediastinal contour measuring more than 8cm at the level of the aortic arch.
- Note that the mediastinum will be artificially widened on an AP film, and this should only be assessed on a PA film.
Causes of Mediastinal Widening
- Lymphadenopathy - infection, sarcoidosis, malignancy
- Mediastinal tumour - lymphoma, thymoma, metastasis
- Vascular pathology - thoracic aortic aneurysm, tortuosity of the aorta, aortic rupture
- Pneumomediastinum
- Retrosternal goitre
- Hiatus hernia
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