The Importance of Diagnostic Mediastinoscopy in Patients with Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy

Objectives: Mediastinoscopy is a safe and invasive diagnostic method allowing to obtain sufficient tissue samples in the diagnosis of many malignant and benign intrathoracic diseases. In this study, it was aimed to determine the importance of mediastinoscopy in diagnosing mediastinal diseases and also provide patient data in the resolution of mediastinal diseases. Methods: Between January 2016 and December 2020, 76 cases of mediastinal lymphadenopathy that could not be diagnosed by other diagnostic methods were evaluated. Results: 64 (84,2%) of these 76 cases were diagnosed by mediastinoscopy. 12 cases (15.7%) were reported as reactive lymphoid hyperplasia. Since the definitive diagnosis of these cases could not be proven, they were considered as false-negative. Histopathological examination revealed chronic granulomatous lymphadenitis in 16 cases, non-necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis in 27 cases, metastasis of malignant disease in 18 cases, and lymphoma in 2 cases. In our study, the sensitivity of mediastinoscopy was determined as 84.2%. Neither mortality nor morbidity was detected in our cases. Conclusion: As a result, mediastinoscopy continues to maintain its traditional place for patients that cannot be diagnosed, because it is reliable and less invasive.