Differential Points of Mediastinal Cystic Lesion in Chest Computed Tomography

Abstract

Purpose: To find differential diagnostic imaging findings of mediastinal cystic lesions in chest computed tomography. Materials and Methods:We retrospectively reviewed imaging findings of 70 patients with histopathologically proven mediastinal cystic lesions. They were 33 male and 37 female patients. Results: Among 70 cases, 49 cases were in the anterior mediastinum, 12 cases were in the middle mediastinum, and 9 cases were in the posterior mediastinum. 19 patients had symptoms. Chest discomfort was the most common symptom. When the cystic lesion was located in the anterior mediastinum, and unilocular, the possibility of thymic cyst was the most likely (p < 0.0027). When the cystic lesion was located in the anterior mediastinum and was multilocular with a relatively thick wall, the possibility of a mature cystic teratoma was the most likely (p < 0.001). When the lesion was a high attenuation cystic lesion located around the air-way, the possibility of a bronchogenic cyst was the most likely (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Chest CT gives information about the location, loculation, wall thickness and internal attenuation of mediastinal cystic lesions. And certain details seen on CT imaging can help with the correct diagnosis, especially in the cases of thymic cyst, mature cystic teratoma and bronchogenic cyst. Index terms