[Diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal neoplasms and cysts]

Possessing experience in the treatment of 314 patients with tumors and cysts of the mediastinum, the authors discuss problems of their diagnosis and surgical treatment. The patients' ages ranged from 7 to 64 years. Tumors were recognized in 216 (68.8%) and cysts in 98 (31.3%) patients. The radiological method, including computed tomography, is the main method for the diagnosis of mediastinal tumors and cysts. The presence of a pathological structure in the mediastinum is an indication for surgery independent of the development of complications. Operations for tumors and cysts of the mediastinum must be carried out in specialized medical institutions because they are complicated surgical interventions.