The value of mediastinoscopy--experience of 374 cases.

The diagnostic value of 374 mediastinoscopies with biopsies from 1958-1971 is shown. The procedure has been evaluated earlier. The observation period in this report is so long that the clinical diagnoses are very reliable and give the material special interest. Over 90 per cent of sarcoidosis cases were diagnosed. The procedure is also shown to be of great value in investigating doubtful radiographic changes in the lungs and mediastinum. Mediastinoscopy showed tumor invasion of the mediastinal lymph glands in 79 of 216 patients with lung cancer so that 79 patients were spared thoracotomy. Mediastinoscopy can also be used to assess tumor spread in the planning of radiotherapy. In order to carry out a satisfactory lung diagnosis it is necessary to use mediastinoscopy.