[Value of diagnostic cervical mediastinoscopy in pulmonology]

Objective of our work was to show how the mediastinoscopy helps to diagnose various diseases of mediastinum. In the period from 1967 till 1971 in Kaunas University of Medicine Hospital and during 2000-2001 in the Department of Thoracic surgery of Lithuanian Oncology Center were performed 40 and 24 mediastinoscopy in 64 patients, who had various diseases of mediastinum. Fourty one patients were with lung cancer. After mediastinoscopy the patients were operated. In 17 cases of 26 patients, metastases of lung cancer were found in lymph nodes of mediastinum. Most patients (60%) were operated in III(rd) stage of disease. Seventeen patients had other diseases: 10 - sarcoidosis Beck, 5 - lymphagranulomatosis, 2 - bronchitis tuberculosis. Diagnosis of disease was confirmed by histology in 15 patients.

1. Metastases of lymph nodes of mediastinum were confirmed in 65.38% of patients. 2. The mediastinoscopy reduced the number of exploratory thoracotomy. 3. Diagnosis of diseases was confirmed in 88.23% cases in sistematic pathology of lymph nodes. 4. Mediastinoscopy must make only experienced thoracic surgeon, who can perform thoracotomy and sternotomy.