title: Repeat mediastinoscopy in the assessment of new and recurrent lung neoplasm.
abstract: From 1976 to 1990, 140 patients (mean age, 66 years; 91% male) underwent repeat mediastinoscopy as a routine staging procedure. The mean interval between first and second mediastinoscopy was 56 months. Owing to adhesions, 26 repeat mediastinoscopies (18%) were considered incomplete. There was no mortality, and 10 complications did not require interventional therapy. The results were positive in 20 patients, thus avoiding an unnecessary thoracotomy. In 7 patients with negative findings, positive lymph nodes were found at thoracotomy or by transcarinal puncture biopsy. The sensitivity of repeat mediastinoscopy in this series is 74%, and the accuracy 94%. We consider repeat mediastinoscopy a safe and reliable preoperative staging procedure in new or recurrent lung cancer.
authors.affiliation: St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meersschaut
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vermassen
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brutel de la Rivière
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Knaepen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Van den Bosch
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanderschueren
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008481:Mediastinoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology