RT Book, Section
A1 Su, Stacey
A1 Colson, Yolonda L.
A2 Sugarbaker, David J.
A2 Bueno, Raphael
A2 Colson, Yolonda L.
A2 Jaklitsch, Michael T.
A2 Krasna, Mark J.
A2 Mentzer, Steven J.
A2 Williams, Marcia
A2 Adams, Ann
SR Print(0)
ID 1105847277
T1 Overview of Benign and Malignant Mediastinal Diseases
T2 Adult Chest Surgery, 2e
YR 2015
FD 2015
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 978-0-07-178189-3
LK accesssurgery.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1105847277
RD 2024/04/23
AB The  mediastinum  is  defined  as  the  space  between  the  lungs.  It  is  bordered  by  the  sternum  anteriorly,  the  thoracic  inlet  superiorly,  the  diaphragm  inferiorly,  and  the  ribs  (Fig.  155-1).  Mediastinal  masses  arise  from  structures  that  normally  reside  in  the  mediastinum,  as  well  as  those  that  migrate  through  it  during  development.  The  mediastinum  is  compartmentalized  into  four  major  spaces  based  on  anatomic  landmarks.  The  superior  mediastinum  extends  from  the  thoracic  inlet  to  an  imaginary  line  between  the  angle  of  Louis  and  the  fourth  thoracic  vertebral  body.  The  anterior  mediastinum  spans  the  back  of  the  sternum  to  the  front  of  the  ascending  aorta  and  pericardium.  The  posterior  mediastinum  is  located  between  the  posterior  pericardium  and  the  spine;  this  includes  the  costovertebral  sulci.  The  middle  mediastinum  lies  between  the  anterior  and  posterior  mediastinal  compartments.  These  divisions  are  not  precise  and  become  less  defined  as  lesions  invade  or  displace  adjacent  organs,  leading  to  distorted  anatomy.  Nevertheless,  they  provide  a  framework  to  classify  and  understand  mediastinal  diseases.  With  knowledge  of  the  patient's  age,  location  of  the  lesion,  and  presence  or  absence  of  sentinel  signs  and  symptoms,  a  reasonable  preoperative  diagnosis  often  can  be  made.