Tuberc Respir Dis.
2005 Feb;58(2):188-191.
A Fat Density Mass in the Mediastinum
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Internal Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. mdlee@catholic.ac.kr
- 2Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 3Department of Radiology, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
- A 47-year-old female was admitted for an evaluation of a left mediastinal mass. The chest X-ray performed 16 months ago was normal, but the chest X-ray upon admission showed a large mass adjacent to the anterior aspect of the left hemidiaphragm. The CT scan demonstrated a large mass with a fat density in the left lower hemithorax. A focal diaphragmatic defect behind the xiphoid process was suspected. A thoracoscopic examination revealed omental herniation through the diaphragmatic defect. Therefore, a left thoracotomy was performed and the defect was repaired. We believe that a differential diagnosis should be needed to include a diaphragmatic omental hernia when a fat density mass is observed in the mediastinum.
