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Radiology, Vol 138, 107-113, Copyright © 1981 by Radiological Society of North America
ARTICLES |
RL Baron, RG Levitt, SS Sagel and RJ Stanley
Computed tomography was employed in 71 patients to assess a widened mediastinum detected on plain chest radiography. In 92% of the patients, CT correctly identified normal variants, sift-tissue density masses or vascular abnormalities as the cause of mediastinal widening. In 8% of the scans, all performed early in our experience, CT diagnosis was indeterminate (4%) or incorrect (4%). In 58% of the cases, a specific and correct CT diagnosis was made, which obviated further and more invasive diagnostic evaluation. CT scanning can differentiate vascular from avascular causes of mediastinal widening, and provide a specific and conclusive diagnosis in many instances. Invasive diagnostic procedures should be reserved for the few cases in which CT is indeterminate or additional preoperative information is required.
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