[The right paratracheal stripe--an aid in the evaluation of upper mediastinal disease (author's transl)].

Normal roentgen anatomy, physiologic variations and pathologic changes of both shape and size of the right paratracheal stripe (RPS) are discussed. The broad spectrum of common and rare differential diagnosis of the pathologic RPS is demonstrated. There are space occupying lesions in the middle compartment of the upper mediastinum, originating from the trachea or the paratracheal tissue including lymph nodes, mediastinal hemorrhage and infection, goiter, vessels and opacifying processes in the adjacent lung and pleura. Under these conditions the RPS may be displaced, widened, irregularly or poorly delineated or obliterated. For correct interpretation clinical findings and history are mandatory.