title: Mediastinoscopy in relation to clinical evaluation.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the entire spectrum of mediastinoscopy, from common to rare conditions, in relation to clinical judgement. The 2021 consecutive patients comprised 992 with 'open' clinical diagnoses at mediastinoscopy and 1,029 with verified or presumptive diagnoses. In the first group the most common indications for mediastinoscopy were pulmonary infiltrate (73%) and mediastinal shadow (17%), and in the second group they were bronchogenic carcinoma (57%) and sarcoidosis (38%). Mediastinoscopy was classified as positive in 43% of the first, and 60% of the second group. Of the total series, 51% had positive mediastinoscopy findings, the most common being malignant disease (24%) and sarcoidosis (21%). Mediastinoscopy was useful especially for evaluating malignant mediastinal involvement, but also for differentiation of lymphadenopathies and in diagnosis of rare diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Puhakka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liippo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tala
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008481:Mediastinoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis*