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) CME Test (opens in a new window) 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 Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Restrepo, C. S. Articles by Lemos, D. F. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Restrepo, C. S. Articles by Lemos, D. F. Related Collections Chest Radiology Genitourinary Radiology

The Diaphragmatic Crura and Retrocrural Space: Normal Imaging Appearance, Variants, and Pathologic Conditions¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, Mail Code 7800, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900 (C.S.R., D.O.); the Department of Radiology, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Washington, DC (A.E.); the Department of Radiology, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vt (J.L., D.F.L.); and the Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC (S.M.). Recipient of a Certificate of Merit award and an Excellence in Design award for an education exhibit at the 2004 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received September 12, 2007; revision requested October 10; final revision received February 7, 2008; accepted February 19. C.S.R. is a research consultant for Bayer; all other authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to C.S.R. (e-mail: crestr{at}gmail.com).

The retrocrural space (RCS) is a small triangular region within the most inferior posterior mediastinum bordered by the two diaphragmatic crura. Multiplanar imaging modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allow evaluation of the RCS as part of routine examinations of the chest, abdomen, and spine. Normal structures within the retrocrural region include the aorta, nerves, the azygos and hemiazygos veins, the cisterna chyli with the thoracic duct, fat, and lymph nodes. There is a wide range of normal variants of the diaphragmatic crura and of structures within the RCS. Diverse pathologic processes can occur within this region, including benign tumors (lipoma, neurofibroma, lymphangioma), malignant tumors (sarcoma, neuroblastoma, metastases), vascular abnormalities (aortic aneurysm, hematoma, azygos and hemiazygos continuation of the inferior vena cava), and abscesses. An understanding of the anatomy, normal variants, and pathologic conditions of the diaphragmatic crura and retrocrural structures facilitates diagnosis of disease processes within this often overlooked anatomic compartment.

© RSNA, 2008