Radiology, Vol 151, 709-713, Copyright © 1984 by Radiological Society of North America
Magnetic resonance imaging of benign mediastinal masses
G Gamsu, DD Stark, WR Webb, EH Moore and PE Sheldon
Eight patients who had benign mediastinal masses underwent CT and magnetic
resonance (MR) imaging. The intensity difference between mass and
surrounding mediastinal fat was greater on MR than CT images. Although the
masses were clearly identified with both modalities, delineation of a mass
from surrounding mediastinal structures was better with CT. Heterogeneity
on CT and MR images was a prominent feature of most larger benign
mediastinal masses, although this should not be considered indicative of
benignity. These benign mediastinal masses were best demonstrated on MR
images obtained using a long TR and short TE. In general, the MR studies
provided information comparable to but not identical to that of CT
scanning. The viewing of mediastinal masses using a variety of TR and TE
imaging parameters appeared to be an important aspect of the MR studies.
