Mediastinum diseases Flashcards
what structures can be found in the anterior-superior compartment?
thymus gland
thyroid
lymphatic vessels
what structures can be found in the middle compartment?
pericardial sac
heart
hila
phrenic, upper vagus, and recurrent laryngeal nerves
what structures can be found in the posterior compartment?
esophagus
descending aorta
thoracic duct
Where do most mediastinal masses occur in adults? Children?
adults = 65% anterior
children 65% posterior
what are 4 most common things for anterior mediastinal masses?
Terrible Ts
- thymoma
- teratoma
- terrible lymphoma
- thyroid tissue
whats the most common middle mass?
lymphadenopathy
what is the most common posterior mass?
peripheral nerves neuromas
What are the 2 different types of spontaneous ptx?
primary: occurs without pathology
secondary: occurs with pathology
what are the 2 different types of traumatic ptx?
iatrogenic- caused by procedure performed in the hospital
non-iatrogenic - not caused in a hospital
what is the most common cause of iatrogenic traumatic pneumothorax?
transthoracic needle aspiration or biopsy
what do you look for on ultrasound for pneumothorax?
pleural slide
what is the treatment for a tension pneumothorax? specific location
18 gauge angiocath in 2nd intercostal space along the midclavicular line
why does a pleural effusion form?
rate of pleural fluid formation exceeds drainage
how do you diagnosis a pleural effusion as a transudate or an exudate?
obtain fluid through thoracentesis and use lights criteria to determine protein concentration vs transudate
how long after asbestos exposure do you develop pleural plaques?
20-30 years
