Mediastinal lymph node staging: from noninvasive to surgical.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to describe the current lymph node stations and lymph node staging of non-small cell lung carcinoma. Minimally invasive and invasive methods of mediastinal lymph node staging are emphasized, and the relative accuracy and limitations of each modality are described.


CONCLUSIONS
Lung carcinoma remains the most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Accurate staging of lung cancer is imperative for implementing the correct therapy and assessing patient prognosis.
Department of Radiology, University of Washington Medical Center, Box 357115, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. walk0060@uw.edu
Christopher M
CM
Walker
Jonathan H
JH
Chung
Gerald F
GF
Abbott
Brent P
BP
Little
Ahmed H
AH
El-Sherief
Jo-Anne O
JA
Shepard
Michael
M
Lanuti
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008482:Mediastinum; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D014463:Ultrasonography