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The thoracoscope as diagnostic tool for solid mediastinal masses

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Abstract

Background: Despite the accuracy of percutaneous biopsy of mediastinal masses under CT scan or sonographic control, there is still a need for surgical biopsy because of difficult location or because of insufficiency of the percutaneous biopsy, especially for those tumors requiring an immunological classification.

Methods: The thoracoscopic approach to mediastinal masses is an alternative to the usual surgical biopsies performed through thoracotomy, sternotomy, or anterior mediastinotomy. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and one-lung ventilation.

Results: In a series of 47 cases, a histological diagnosis was obtained in 44 cases (93.6%). There was one hemorrhagic complication requiring thoracotomy (2.1%). The mean postoperative duration of stay was 3.2 days.

Conclusions: Thoracoscopy is the method of choice in case of failure or contraindication of percutaneous biopsy. There is still a role for mediastinoscopy in treating paratracheal lymph nodes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, F-75010, Paris, France

    D. Gossot, L. Toledo & M. Celerier

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  1. D. Gossot
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  2. L. Toledo
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  3. M. Celerier
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Gossot, D., Toledo, L. & Celerier, M. The thoracoscope as diagnostic tool for solid mediastinal masses. Surg Endosc 10, 504–507 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00188395

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00188395

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