title: Clinical value of percutaneous fine-needle aspiration biopsy of mediastinal masses. An analysis of 132 cases.
abstract: The clinical value of fine-needle aspiration biopsy of mediastinal lesions was evaluated in 132 patients. The method was of conclusive clinical value in 88 cases, in 53 of which the further management was based only on the needle biopsy findings, radiographic observations and clinical status. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of mediastinal lesions is therefore recommended as an early step in diagnostic procedures.
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*