TY  - JOUR
T1  - Diagnostic Utility of Chest X‐ray and CT Chest in the Evaluation of Mediastinal Masses: A Comparative Study Based on ITMIG Classification
AU - Varshini, V.M. AU - , Vinod AU - , Assvath 
JO  - Research Journal of Medical Sciences
VL  - 19
IS  - 4
SP  - 100
EP  - 104
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-9346
DO  - makrjms.2025.4.100.104
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=makrjms.2025.4.100.104
KW  - Lung
KW  - fissure
KW  - lobe
KW  - hilum
KW  - cardiothoracic surgeon
AB  - 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.
ER  -