Mediastinoscopy

Abstract

When lung cancer is suspected from chest x-ray films but other appropriate tests are negative, direct inspection of the mediastinum, with biopsy of suspicious nodes, can give the evidence needed for a positive diagnosis in many cases. Often this spares the patient exploratory thoracotomy. Since mediastinal spread of pulmonary carcinoma is such an unfavorable sign, mediastinoscopy is of particular value in judging the resectability of the lesion.