The superior and inferior vena cava are located in the anterosuperior compartment.
The tracheal bifurcation is located in the posterior compartment.
The pericardial sac is derived from a separate division of the pleural cavities.
Esophageal epithelium arises from the ventral foregut.
The thymus originates from the dorsal aspect of the 3rd branchial pouch.
Question 2: Which of the following statements is true regarding mediastinal conditions?
Spontaneous mediastinal emphysema is most commonly caused by an esophageal or gastric fistula.
Mediastinitis secondary to esophageal perforation presents as fever, leukocytosis, and chest pain.
Omentum can be used as a tissue flap following sternal debridement.
Significant mediastinal hemorrhage usually results in the acute onset of mediastinal tamponade.
About 50% of patients with SVC syndrome have an underlying benign disease process.
Question 3: Which of the following statements is true regarding neurogenic tumors of the mediastinum?
The peak incidence occurs in children.
Neurosarcomas have been associated with the Doege-Potter syndrome.
Up to 75% of diffuse ganglioneuroblastomas will have metastasized at initial presentation.
The posterior compartment is the most common location for neuroblastoma.
Malignant pheochromocytomas metastasize early in the disease course.
Question 4: Which of the following statements is true regarding thymomas and germ cell tumors?
Over 50% of myasthenia gravis patients will have a thymoma.
The presence of myasthenia gravis is a risk factor for poor outcome.
Blind biopsy or orchiectomy should be performed in patients with mediastinal germ cell tumors.
Cytoreductive resection should be performed prior to radiation therapy if a seminoma is involving vital structures.
Over 90% of nonseminomas will produce either AFP or B-HCG.
Question 5: Which of the following statements is true regarding primary cysts of the mediastinum?
Most of these patients are symptomatic and present with chest pain.
Surgical excision is recommended for a bronchogenic cyst only if there is respiratory compromise or recurrent pneumonitis.
Most pericardial cysts occur at the left pericardiophrenic angle.
Patients with vertebral anomalies should be evaluated for possible spinal cord involvement by an enteric cyst.
Enteric cysts are the most common primary cysts and are usually located in the middle compartment.
Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5