W R Smythe1, J E Bavaria, L R Kaiser. 1. Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the use of mediastinoscopy in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal cystic masses in adults. DESIGN: Case reports and literature review. SETTING: Academic department of surgery. PATIENTS: Three consecutive adults with mediastinal masses identified on plain radiographs and CT. INTERVENTIONS: Operative mediastinoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated with removal of cyst wall, establishment of diagnosis, and same-day hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Simple mediastinoscopic removal of mediastinal cysts offers the same potential for diagnosis and treatment as more conventional methods, with a potential for less morbid and more cost-effective care.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the use of mediastinoscopy in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal cystic masses in adults. DESIGN: Case reports and literature review. SETTING: Academic department of surgery. PATIENTS: Three consecutive adults with mediastinal masses identified on plain radiographs and CT. INTERVENTIONS: Operative mediastinoscopy. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: All patients were successfully treated with removal of cyst wall, establishment of diagnosis, and same-day hospital discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Simple mediastinoscopic removal of mediastinal cysts offers the same potential for diagnosis and treatment as more conventional methods, with a potential for less morbid and more cost-effective care.