Compartment-based MRI
MRI Mediastinal Mass Characterization & Differential Diagnosis
Compartment-based localization, MRI tissue characterization, invasion assessment, and structured differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses. MRI is appropriate for tissue characterization and assessment of certain tissue-plane, neurovascular, chest-wall, or diaphragmatic relationships, but does not universally replace CT in mediastinal evaluation.
Compartment
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Max dim
—
Δ vs prior
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Diffusion
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Invasion
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Leading dx
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Indication
Age (yrs)
Sex
Advanced clinical data
AFP (ng/mL)
β-hCG (mIU/mL)
LDH (U/L)
TSH
Free T4
Serum Ca (mg/dL)
PTH (pg/mL)
Prior imaging
Prior biopsy / pathology
Laboratory tests listed here are supportive; none is diagnostic in isolation.
Examination type
Contrast
Cross-sectional three-compartment framework.
Compartment of origin
Compartments involved
A transcompartmental mass may still have an apparent origin plus multiple involved compartments.
CC (mm)
TV (mm)
AP (mm)
Prior max dim (mm)
Interval change
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Shape
Margins
Internal architecture
Distribution
Reference structure
T1 signal
T2 signal
Fat assessment
Fat features
Cystic / fluid characteristics
Cystic features
Fibrous characteristics
Fibrous features
Flow & vascular characteristics
Flow features
Hemorrhagic / proteinaceous content
Content features
Qualitative diffusion
ADC (×10⁻³ mm²/s)
ROI note
Diffusion caveat
Diffusion restriction and ADC measurements are supportive findings whose interpretation depends on lesion type, acquisition technique, ROI placement, and scanner parameters.
Enhancement intensity
Enhancement distribution
Specific enhancing components
Dynamic pattern
Leading diagnosis
—Select a mediastinal compartment of origin (Step 3) to generate suggestions.
Important alternative
—Not enough structured findings yet — add characterization or select from the differential registry.
Cannot-miss consideration
—Not enough structured findings yet — add characterization or select from the differential registry.
Overall suspicion
Why this assessment?
Select a mediastinal compartment of origin (Step 3) to generate suggestions.
Suggestions are deterministic and rule-based. Placeholder evidence tier — pending formal editorial review.
Rationale (optional)
Follow-up modality
Follow-up interval
Reason