MEDIASTINOSCOPIC SUBTOTAL REMOVAL OF MEDIASTINAL CYSTS

Study objective: Evaluate the use of mediastinoscopy in the surgical d iagnosis and treatment of mediastinal cystic masses in adults. Design: Case reports and literature review, Setting: Academic department of s urgery. Patients: Three consecutive adults with mediastinal masses ide ntified on plain radiographs and CT. Interventions: Operative mediasti noscopy. Measurements and results: All patients were successfully trea ted with removal of cyst wall, establishment of diagnosis, and same-da y hospital discharge. Conclusions: Simple mediastinoscopic removal of mediastinal cysts offers the same potential for diagnosis and treatmen t as more conventional methods, with a potential for less morbid and m ore cost-effective care.