Evaluation of mediastinoscopy cases tor three years experience

Mediastinoscopy is a widely used technique in the diagnosis of staging of lung cancer and primary and secondary mediastinal disease. İt was reported that mediastinoscopy was greater than sensitivity of %75 and specificity of % 90. We retrospectively revievved 24 mediastinoscopy performed in our clinic betvveen January 1999 and December 2002. There were 17 men and 7 women aged from 24 to 77 (mean age 57 years ) and the duration of operation was 30- 60 minutes. Eight patients had mediastinoscopy for the staging of lung cancer and sixteen patients for diagnosis of mediastinal mass. İn 3 of 8 patients N2 and N3 disease was identified. İt was suggested that these patients were inoperable. İn six- teen patients with mediastinal disease, sarcoidosis was diagnosed in 5 patients, non small celi lung cancer in 4 patients, tuberculosis in 4 patients, lymphoma in one patient, lung fibrosis and reactive lymph nodes in two patients. There were no complications and mortality in our cases. We conclude that mediastinoscopy is highly effective and safe procedure in the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases and staging of the lung cancers.