The mediastinum is a non-delineated group of structures in the thorax (chest), surrounded by loose connective tissue. It is the central compartment of the thoracic cavity. It contains the heart, the great vessels of the heart, esophagus, trachea, thymus, and lymph nodes of the central chest. A wide variety of diseases involving<unk>  structures may present as a<unk> <unk>  or widening of the mediastinum on imaging studies.<unk>  widening is diagnosed by the mediastinum measuring greater than 8 cm in width on PA chest x-ray. The<unk> <unk>  may present with symptoms or even without any symptoms.<unk> <unk>  may cause a variety of symptoms by the<unk>  pressing against surrounding<unk>  structures, collectively known as<unk>  syndrome.<unk>  may can be<unk> ed depending on their location in<unk>  cavity into: Anterior<unk> <unk> , middle<unk> <unk> , or posterior<unk> <unk> .<unk> <unk>  may also be<unk> ed according to the content of the<unk>  such as: cystic, fatty or solid (tumor).
Mediastinal mass differential diagnosis
Mediastinitis differential diagnosis
Pneumomediastinum differential diagnosis
Lung abscess differential diagnosis
Tracheitis differential diagnosis
Bronchitis differential diagnosis
Chest pain differential diagnosis
Lung cancer differential diagnosis