This patient has a large mass in the middle mediastinum. The differential diagnosis for such a mass includes:
- lymphoma or other lymphadenopathy
- lung cancer
- aortic aneurysm or other vascular abnormality
- abscess
- hematoma
- esophageal carcinoma, esophageal duplication cyst
- metastatic disease
- hiatus hernia
- bronchogenic cyst
This elderly patient complained of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms. This clinical history, plus the presence of an air-fluid level within the mass suggests a hiatus hernia.
Middle Mediastinal Mass