High-attenuation mediastinal masses on unenhanced CT

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1991 Jan;156(1):45-50. doi: 10.2214/ajr.156.1.1898569.

Abstract

On unenhanced CT scans, a variety of mediastinal masses contain areas with attenuation values higher than the attenuation value of the chest wall musculature. The increased attenuation may be diffuse or focal and may be a result of calcium deposition, high iodine content, or areas of acute hemorrhage. This report illustrates the gamut of high-attenuation mediastinal masses seen on unenhanced CT. Masses that are of high attenuation only on IV contrast-enhanced images (e.g., aberrant vessels) are not included.

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm / diagnostic imaging
  • Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Goiter, Substernal / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemorrhage / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Lymphatic Metastasis / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Cyst / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Phlebography
  • Radiographic Image Enhancement
  • Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*