Mediastinal amyloidosis

Systemic amyloidosis is an unusual cause of mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Th oracic surgeons are often called upon to establish a diagnosis in patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathy, so familiarity with mediastinal amyloidos is is valuable. We report our experience with. 2 patients, and discuss the diagnostic role of mediastinoscopy and other less invasive biopsy technique s. General anesthesia may pose significant risks in this disease; nonoperat ive biopsy techniques should be considered if the diagnosis of amyloidosis is suspected. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.