Diagnostic Role of Computed Tomography in Evaluation of Mediastinal Masses

The study was carried out in radiology department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore, in 2009. The objective of this study was to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of computed tomography in evaluation of mediastinal masses. All patients underwent helical CT with I/V contrast. Out of 100 patients 31 were having metastatic disease with sensitivity and specificity 67.0% and 84.0%, 24 patients were tuberculous with sensitivity and specificity 66.0% and 86.0%, 19 patients had lymphoma with sensitivity and specificity 47.0% and 90.0% respectively 26 patients had other masses. The overall sensitivity and specificity was 60.0% and 86.0%, respectively. It was concluded that although generally CT is unable to differentiate between various etiologies of mediastinal masses yet it cannot only support the diagnosis but often can lead to some specific diagnosis by certain attenuation factors like water, fat and calcium. So it is an investigation of choice after plain chest radiography