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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