Mediastinoscopy: Why It Is Done


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Why It Is Done


Mediastinoscopy is done to:

  • Detect problems of the lungs and mediastinum, such as sarcoidosis.
  • Diagnose lung cancer or lymphoma (including Hodgkin's disease). Mediastinoscopy is often done to check lymph nodes in the mediastinum before considering lung removal surgery to treat lung cancer. Mediastinoscopy can also help your doctor recommend the best treatment (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) for lung cancer.
  • Diagnose certain types of infection, especially those that can affect the lungs (such as tuberculosis).


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Last updated: March 21, 2007
Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Robert L. Cowie, MB, FCP(SA), MD, MSc, MFOM - Pulmonology
Editors: Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer

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