[Asymptomatic mediastinal masses: prognosis, attitude and impact of thoracic radiography].

: Mediastinal masses remain an interesting diagnostic and therapeutic problem for the clinician. Recent advances in imaging techniques and the increased use of chest roentgenograms in medical practice contribute to early screening of asymptomatic mediastinal masses. From 1965 to 1990, 290 patients with a primary mediastinal cyst or neoplasm were operated and treated in our institution. Among those, 80 patients presented with asymptomatic mediastinal masses. The prognosis of these asymptomatic lesions was evaluated and compared to that of symptomatic ones. Overall, two third of patients who were asymptomatic at diagnosis had a neoplasm, which proved to be malignant in half of the cases. A significantly greater number of patients with malignant neoplasms were asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis during the recent period. The prognosis of these asymptomatic lesions appeared to be better in selected tumoral types (e.g. thymomas, lymphomas) although it was difficult to completely avoid statistical bias. Early radiological detection of mediastinal tumors could improve their prognosis in selected cases. Incidental diagnosis of mediastinal masses by radiological examination should lead to early aggressive diagnostic procedure and treatment.