Which of the following is NOT a cause of posterior mediastinal masses?

Which of the following is NOT a cause of posterior mediastinal masses?

• A. Neurogenic tumor
• B. Enteric cyst
• C. Bronchogenic cyst
• D. Pericardial cyst

Answer: (D)

Masses in the posterior mediastinum typically come from neural or foregut-related structures. Neurogenic tumors arise from nerve sheath elements and are the most common posterior mediastinal masses. Enteric cysts, such as esophageal duplication cysts, are also classic posterior mediastinal lesions because they originate from foregut structures that lie near the esophagus. Bronchogenic cysts, though foregut-derived, are most commonly located in the middle mediastinum along the tracheobronchial tree, so they fit less neatly into the posterior compartment. Pericardial cysts, on the other hand, sit in the middle mediastinum near the cardiophrenic angles and are not considered posterior mediastinal masses. Therefore the pericardial cyst is not a posterior mediastinal mass.

Masses in the posterior mediastinum typically come from neural or foregut-related structures. Neurogenic tumors arise from nerve sheath elements and are the most common posterior mediastinal masses. Enteric cysts, such as esophageal duplication cysts, are also classic posterior mediastinal lesions because they originate from foregut structures that lie near the esophagus. Bronchogenic cysts, though foregut-derived, are most commonly located in the middle mediastinum along the tracheobronchial tree, so they fit less neatly into the posterior compartment. Pericardial cysts, on the other hand, sit in the middle mediastinum near the cardiophrenic angles and are not considered posterior mediastinal masses. Therefore the pericardial cyst is not a posterior mediastinal mass.