Research Journal of Medical Sciences
ISSN: Online 1993-6095ISSN: Print 1815-9346
Abstract
Mediastinal masses present a diagnostic challenge due to their varied etiologies, including congenital, infectious, and malignant lesions. Imaging modalities such as chest X‐ray (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) play a pivotal role in their evaluation. While CXR is often the first‐line investigation, multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) provides superior anatomical classification, enhancing diagnostic accuracy. The International Thymic Malignancy Interest Group (ITMIG) classification system divides the mediastinum into three compartments: prevascular, visceral, and paravertebral, facilitating precise localization and characterization of lesions. A retrospective cross‐sectional study was conducted at Sree Mookambika Institute of Medical Sciences from January 2024 to January 2025, analyzing 50 patients diagnosed with mediastinal masses. Imaging findings from both CXR and CT were compared in terms of diagnostic accuracy, lesion characterization, and compartmental classification. Statistical parameters such as sensitivity, specificity, and concordance rates were assessed. CT demonstrated higher sensitivity (95%) and specificity (90%) compared to CXR (70% and 65%), respectively. CT successfully classified 92% of mediastinal masses into ITMIG compartments, whereas CXR had a correct classification rate of only 60%. The most frequently encountered lesions were thymic masses (32%) and neurogenic tumors (22%), followed by lymphadenopathy (18%). While CXR remains a useful screening tool, CT is superior for localization, characterization, and differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses. The ITMIG classification system improves diagnostic accuracy and multidisciplinary communication, reinforcing MDCT as the gold standard for mediastinal mass evaluation.
How to cite this article:
V.M. Varshini, Vinod and Assvath . Diagnostic Utility of Chest X‐ray and CT Chest in the Evaluation of Mediastinal Masses: A Comparative Study Based on ITMIG Classification.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/makrjms.2025.4.100.104
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1815-9346/makrjms.2025.4.100.104