Posterior Mediastinal Mass

• Nerve sheath tumors: Schwannoma, neurofibroma.
• Aortic aneurysm:
• Paraspinal Hematoma:
• Sympathetic ganglion tumor: Neuroblastoma (younger than 3), ganglioneuroblastoma (3-10), ganglioneuroma (older than 10), paraganglioma.
• Paraspinal Abscess:
• Lateral meningocele: Cerebrispinal fluid attenuation/signal meningeal protrusion through a neural foramen. More common in the thoracic spine and on the right. Strong association with neurofibromatosis type 1 (bilateral). Can also be seen with Marfan syndrome.
• Extramedullary hematopoiesis: Multiple lobulated posterior mediastinal masses associated with ribs and vertebral bodies with prominent trabeculae. No calcification. Heterogeneous enhancement.
• Esophageal duplication cyst (shown above): Duplication cysts are defined by a well-developed smooth muscle, epithelial lining of a part of the gastrointestinal tract, and past or present attachment to a part of the gastrointestinal tract. Esophageal duplication cysts are more common on the right side and in the lower half of the chest. 30% contain gastric mucosa. They often have associated vertebral anomalies (neurenteric cyst).