Introduction In the United States, 25% of trauma-related deaths are secondary to thoracic injuries, which can result from either penetrating trauma or blunt trauma. Penetrating chest trauma is less frequent but deadlier than blunt chest trauma and commonly results from…
Pleura Anatomy and Physiology The pleura is composed of two thin layers of mesothelium referred to as the visceral and parietal pleura. The visceral pleura covers the lung and fissural surfaces and the parietal pleura lines the mediastinum, ribs, and…
Introduction The mediastinum is bounded anteriorly by the sternum, posteriorly by the thoracic spine, laterally by the mediastinal pleura, superiorly by the thoracic inlet, and inferiorly by the diaphragm. It contains vital intrathoracic structures and organs, including the heart, aorta,…
Introduction Uses of Thoracic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Chest radiography (CXR) and chest tomography (CT) have been the mainstays of thoracic imaging for decades, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)–CT has more recently proven its value in staging lung cancer and…
▪ Mediastinal Lesions Although it may not be difficult to identify a mediastinal mass on cross-sectional imaging, it can be challenging to determine its nature. Diagnostic specificity is critical to prevent unnecessary intervention and its associated morbidity and expenditure. The…