A suprasternal approach to the mediastinum using real-time ultrasonography. Echoanatomical correlations.

This work was undertaken in order to define the potential capabilities of real-time echography for the exploration of the mediastinum by a suprasternal approach. We present the results of a comparative study between anatomical frontal oblique sections of the mediastinum and echographic slices performed along the same planes from the suprasternal fossa. From these data, it seems possible to enlarge the applications of echography in the study of mediastinal pathology.