[Ultrasonic tomography of the mediastinum in the staging of lung cancer].

Results of standard X-ray tomography, computed tomography and ultrasonic tomography (UT) used for detecting mediastinal metastases from lung cancer were compared in 50 patients who were later operated on. UT sensitivity in the diagnosis of paravasal lymph node involvement proved superior to that of X-ray tomography and only slightly yielded to that of computed tomography. As regards bifurcation lymph node assessment, results of the radiation imaging techniques were similar to those obtained by surgery. Ultrasonographic signs of tumor spreading to the mediastinum were observed in cases of stage IIIa-IIIb tumors only. UT assured detection of metastases in normal-sized lymph nodes of the upper mediastinum. Combined application of standard X-ray and ultrasonic tomography of the mediastinum assured better staging of tumor roughly in half the patients. Absence of X-ray signs of mediastinal lymph node enlargement is considered a direct indication for UT.