Ultrasonically guided biopsy of anterior mediastinal masses

The various techniques used to perform biopsies of mediastinal masses--mediastinoscopy, mediastinotomy, extended cervical mediastinoscopy, and assisted video-thoracoscopy--have already been amply described. In this study the authors give particular attention to ultrasonically guided percutaneous biopsy. Between January 1998 and July 2001 42 patients underwent anterior mediastinal core needle biopsy with ultrasonic guidance. An accurate diagnosis was made for all the patients, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. Two cases of pneumothorax were seen, with pleural drainage and a 5-day hospitalization necessary in one of the cases. The remaining 40 patients were treated as outpatients and were discharged within 4 h of the procedure. Ultrasonically guided percutaneous core-needle biopsy is a safe procedure for the diagnosis of the anterior mediastinal masses.