Normal mediastinal lymph node size and number: CT and anatomic study
Normal lymph nodes were studied retrospectively by computed tomography (CT) in 39 patients and by dissection at autopsy in 12 cadavers. The mediastinum was divided arbitrarily into four zones relating to the left innominate vein (zone 1), pretracheal space (zone 2), precarinal/subcarinal compartment (zone 3), and aorticopulmonary window (zone 4). Of 225 lymph nodes from all zones in the CT study, 99% measured less than 16 mm in largest diameter. Using contiguous 10-mm CT scans, lymph nodes were detected in 65%-95% of patients, depending on the zone studies. The mean number of lymph nodes on a representative section was 1.1. There was a significant size difference between lymph nodes residing in the superior mediastinum compared with those in the middle mediastinum contiguous to the carina. Thus, only 7% of lymph nodes in zone 1 were larger than 5 mm, whereas 90% and 67% of lymph nodes in zones 3 and 4, respectively, were larger, in the 6-10 mm range.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Saskatchewan Hospital, Saskatoon
- OSTI ID:
- 7015063
- Journal Information:
- AJR, Am. J. Roentgenol.; (United States), Vol. 142:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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