HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Franquet, T. Articles by Prats, R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Franquet, T. Articles by Prats, R. Related Collections Chest Radiology

The Retrotracheal Space: Normal Anatomic and Pathologic Appearances¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Avda Sant Antoni M. Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain (T.F., A.G., R.P.); the Department of Radiology, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex (J.J.E.); and the Department of Radiology, Fundación Dr Enrique Rossi, Buenos Aires, Argentina (S.R.). Presented as an education exhibit at the 2001 RSNA scientific assembly. Received February 22, 2002; revision requested April 2 and received May 29; accepted June 12. Address correspondence to T.F. (e-mail: 19429tfc@comb.es).

A variety of diseases can arise from the normal contents of the retrotracheal space or from adjacent structures. Mediastinal diseases in the retrotracheal space typically manifest radiographically as a contour abnormality or an area of increased opacity, although computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is usually required for diagnosis. The most common aortic arch anomaly, a right subclavian artery that originates from an otherwise normal left-sided aortic arch, appears at posteroanterior chest radiography as an obliquely oriented soft-tissue area of increased opacity that extends superiorly to the right from the superior margin of the aortic arch. CT and MR imaging can reveal associated vascular or mediastinal abnormalities. Aortic aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms can manifest radiographically as fusiform or saccular masslike lesions that protrude into the retrotracheal space. Thoracic MR imaging and spiral CT angiography are the diagnostic procedures of choice for evaluating diverse pathologic conditions of the thoracic aorta. Esophageal diseases can manifest as an abnormality in the retrotracheal space, which may be the initial clue to the diagnosis. At CT, lymphatic malformations in the mediastinum manifest as lobular, multicystic tumors that surround and infiltrate adjacent mediastinal structures. Familiarity with the normal radiologic appearance of the retrotracheal space and with the clinical manifestations of diseases that affect the retrotracheal space and adjacent structures can facilitate detection, diagnosis, and management.

© RSNA, 2002

Index Terms: Aneurysm, aortic, 56.73 • Aorta, abnormalities, 562.1521, 562.1532 • Esophagus, abnormalities, 71.141, 71.142 • Esophagus, neoplasms, 71.3131, 71.321 • Mediastinitis, 67.272 • Mediastinum, abscess, 67.272 • Mediastinum, hemorrhage, 67.4128 • Mediastinum, neoplasms, 67.31, 67.3151, 67.319

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. M. Gibbs, C. A. Chandrasekhar, E. C. Ferguson, and S. A. A. Oldham Lines and Stripes: Where Did They Go? --From Conventional Radiography to CT RadioGraphics, January 1, 2007; 27(1): 33 - 48. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. E. Beygui, F. Esmailian, D. A. Rigberg, and H. Laks Repair of the symptomatic aberrant aortic arch aneurysm without hypothermic circulatory arrest Interactive CardioVascular and Thoracic Surgery, December 1, 2004; 3(4): 569 - 572. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]