title: Mediastinoscopic subtotal removal of mediastinal cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate the use of mediastinoscopy in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal cystic masses in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports and literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic department of surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three consecutive adults with mediastinal masses identified on plain radiographs and CT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative mediastinoscopy.
  
  
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Smythe
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bavaria
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Kaiser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008481:Mediastinoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed