COMPARISON OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND MUTIDETECTOR COMPUTER TOMOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF MEDIASTINAL TUMORS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify the diagnostic accuracy of mediastinal masses using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 30 cases were referred to the Department of Radiodiagnosis for clinically suspected mediastinal masses for 2 years were included and MDCT and MRI were done. Lymphoma in 37.5% of cases, lymphoma and thymic masses in 31.25% of cases, Ca. esophagus and Schwannoma were the common mediastinal masses in the anterior, superior, middle, and posterior mediastinal compartments, respectively. MDCT sensitivity was 100% and MDCT specificity was 75%. MRI sensitivity was 100%, and MRI specificity was 80%. It was concluded that MDCT is a highly useful modality for the investigation of the mediastinal masses. It has the major role to play in the evaluation of a mediastinal mass regarding the organ of origin, its density, mass effect on adjacent structures, distribution pattern, and extent of the lesion diagnosis. MRI accurately well-characterized mediastinal mases such as thymoma, lymphoma, neurogenic tumor, Schwannoma, and ganglioneuroma. MRI was useful in the characterization of the normal thymus and differentiation of hyperplastic thymus and thymictumors.