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mediastinal widening
Etiology:
- aortic aneurysm
- aortic dissection
- ruptured Aorta
- hilar lymphadenopathy
- inhalation anthrax (Bacillus anthracis)
- esophageal rupture
- mediastinal mass
- mediastinitis
- cardiac tamponade
- pericardial effusion
- thoracic vertebrae fractures in trauma patients
Radiology:
- chest X-ray
- > 6 cm on an upright PA chest X-ray
- > 8 cm on supine AP chest film
Related
mediastinum
General
mediastinal disease (diseases of the mediastinum)
References
- Wikipedia: Widened mediastinum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Widened_mediastinum
- Karnath B, Siddiqi A
Medscape: Acute Mediastinal Widening
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/444924_3