Widened mediastinum

Updated on Sep 29, 2024

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Synonyms Mediastinal widening DiseasesDB 29459		ICD-9-CM 519.3

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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