Potential Pitfalls in Imaging of the Mediastinum

Chest computed tomography (CT) is the modality of choice for mediastinal imaging. The high-resolution images provided by multi-detector CT result in routine visualization of normal anatomic structures, which can be confused with pathology. In addition, many mediastinal abnormalities are discovered incidentally, with a routine chest CT protocol which may be insufficient for definite diagnosis. Awareness of the spectrum of potential pitfalls of mediastinal imaging, artifacts related to flow, motion, and solutions to mitigate these problematic issues is important in accurate interpretation. The purpose of this review is to highlight and discuss potential pitfalls in the imaging of the mediastinum.