CTICasesGanglioneuroma of the Posterior Mediastinum
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Imaging findings
A patient presented with a chest radiograph showing a subtle density behind the heart on the PA view, and a very subtle density on the lateral view. CT revealed a paraspinal, extrapulmonary mass in the posterior mediastinum, containing both fat and soft tissue components, in close proximity to the spine. MRI demonstrated high T2 signal, abutting the neural foramen and possibly the nerve root, consistent with a neural neoplasm. Biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of a ganglioneuroma.
Key takeaways
This is a good teaching case for identifying a subtle posterior mediastinal mass on chest radiography. CT and MRI are crucial for characterization, revealing a paraspinal lesion with mixed fat and soft tissue components and clear neural origin. Ganglioneuromas are benign neurogenic tumors that typically grow vertically but can extend laterally, often appearing with mixed attenuation reflecting their neural elements and fat content.
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