DIFFERENT MODALITIES IN MANAGEMENT OF ANTERIOR MEDIASTINAL MASSES

The mediastinum is defined as that space that lies between the two pleural cavities in which a wide range of tissue variability exists.The mediastinum is subdivided into three compartments (anterior, middle, posterior).The anterior compartment lying between the sternal body and pericardium, it normally contains the thymus gland, adipose tissue and lymph nodes.There are various masses arising from or projecting into the anterior mediastinum, most common thymic lesions account for 50% of all anterior mediastinal lesions followed by lymphoma, germ cell tumors and vascular lesions.The clinical presentation varies in patient with a mediastinal mass, from those who are asymptomatic (the diagnosis is made by routine chest film) to those with symptoms related to mechanical effects of invasion or compression and those who have systemic symptoms. The most common symptoms are chest pain, cough, and fever.The systemic symptoms are chest pain, cough, and fever. The systemic symptoms may be vague and nonspecific or may be characteristic