Mediastinal Disease

Question 1

What are the boundaries of the anterior mediastinum and what 3 structures are found in there?

Answer 1

Sternum to pericardium.

Thymus gland, anterior mediastinal LN, and internal mammary vessels

Question 2

What are the boundaries of the middle mediastinal? 8 things.

Answer 2

Between anterior and posterior mediastinum.
Heart, ascending and transverse arches of aorta, vena cava, brachiocephalic vessels, phrenic nerves, trachea, main bronchi, and LN.

Question 3

What are boundaries of the posterior mediastinum?

Answer 3

Pericardium and trachea to vertebral column.

Descending thoracic aorta, esophagus, thoracic duct, azygos and hemiazygos vein, posterior mediastinal LN.

Question 4

What are the three conditions we are dealing with in the mediastinum?

Answer 4

Masses, inflammation/infection, and air/fluid accumulation.

Question 5

What are the 4 most common lesions in the anterior compartment?

Answer 5

Thymoma, teratoma, thyroid masses, and lymphomas.

Question 6

3 most common lesions in the middle compartment?

Answer 6

Vascular masses, adenopathy, pleuropericardial and bronchogenic cysts

Question 7

What are the 5 most common lesions in the posterior compartment?

Answer 7

Neurogenic tumors, meningoceles, meningomyeloceles, gastroenteric cysts, and esophageal diverticula

Question 8

Two most common causes of acute mediastinitis?

Answer 8

Esophageal perforation/rupture and after median sternotomy for cardiac surgery

Question 9

Two most common causes of chronic mediastinitis?

Answer 9

Histoplasmosis and TB

Question 10

3 causes of pneumomediastinum?

Answer 10

Alveolar rupture and release of air, rupture of trachea, esophagus, or main bronchi, and air from neck or abdomen.

Question 11

What is the sign for pneumomediastinum?

Answer 11

Hammans sign which is Rice Krispies.