Suvarna Garge (Editor)

Widened mediastinum

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Synonyms
  
Mediastinal widening

DiseasesDB
  
29459

ICD-9-CM
  
519.3

Widened mediastinum

Widened mediastinum/mediastinal widening is a mediastinum with a measured width greater than 6 cm on an upright PA chest X-ray or 8 cm on supine AP chest film.

Associated conditions

A widened mediastinum can be indicative of several pathologies:

  • aortic aneurysm
  • aortic dissection
  • aortic unfolding
  • aortic rupture
  • hilar lymphadenopathy
  • anthrax inhalation - a widened mediastinum was found in 7 of the first 10 victims infected by anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) in 2001.
  • esophageal rupture - presents usually with pneumomediastinum and pleural effusion. It is diagnosed with water-soluble swallowed contrast.
  • mediastinal mass
  • mediastinitis
  • cardiac tamponade
  • pericardial effusion
  • thoracic vertebrae fractures in trauma patients.

    • References

    Widened mediastinum Wikipedia
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