Mediastinoscopy Tunisia
What is a thoracic mediastinoscopy?
Thoracic mediastinoscopy is a medical procedure that uses a small incision in the neck to visually examine the inside of the mediastinum, the area between the two lungs, without opening the cage. thoracic. It is performed using a medical instrument called a mediastinoscope, which is made up of small surgical instruments and a camera that allows doctors to view the inside of the mediastinum and take tissue samples for laboratory analysis. .
What are the stages of the mediastinoscopy process?
Mediastinoscopy is performed using a medical instrument called a mediastinoscope, which is made up of small surgical instruments and a camera that allows doctors to view the inside of the mediastinum and take tissue samples for analysis. laboratory. Thoracic mediastinoscopy is usually performed under general anesthesia and requires a three to four day hospital stay.
What are the common indications for a mediastinoscopy?
Indications for a thoracic mediastinoscopy include:
Finding the cause of enlarged lymph nodes: Lymph nodes can be examined visually using mediastinoscopy to determine if they are infected or tumorous.
Lymph node biopsy: For the diagnosis of cancers such as breast cancer, ear cancer, oral cancer, laryngeal cancer or lung cancer, mediastinoscopy is used to take biopsies of the lymph nodes.
Search for the cause of inflammation of the esophagus: Mediastinoscopy can be used to inspect the esophagus and find the cause of the inflammation, which may be due to a tumor, infection or allergic reaction.
Search for the cause of compression of the trachea or bronchi: Mediastinoscopy consists of to explore the adjacent structures of the trachea and bronchi to identify the source of the compression, whether caused by a tumor, cyst or allergic reaction.
Search for the cause of enlargement of the thoracic aorta: The aorta Thoracic can be inspected using mediastinoscopy to determine the cause of its enlargement, which may be due to tissue overgrowth, an allergic reaction, or vascular disease.
Search for the cause of the enlargement of the thymus: Mediastinoscopy allows us to examine the thymus and identify the cause of its enlargement, which may be due to a tumor, an allergic reaction or a disease of the thymus gland.
What are the advantages?
Minimally invasive: Mediastinoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that examines the mediastinum from with a small incision in the neck without opening the rib cage.
Direct observation of the mediastinum: To perform biopsies and collect tissue samples or lymph nodes for laboratory analysis purposes, it allows direct observation of areas close to the trachea and respiratory tract.
Precise diagnosis: In the case of specific non-tumor mediastinal lesions, inflammation of esophagus, compression of the trachea or bronchi, enlargement of the thoracic aorta or thymus, mediastinoscopy is useful to establish a precise diagnosis.
Low risk of complications: Bleeding, infections, sores and pain caused by medical examination are most often minimal, and anesthetic or surgical complications of mediastinoscopy are rare.
What are the possible complications?
Bleeding: Although rare, bleeding may occur during or after the procedure.
Infections: Although rare, infections can occur after the procedure.
Damage to surrounding structures: Although rare, damage to surrounding structures, such as The esophagus, nerves or blood vessels may occur during the procedure.
Pneumothorax: When air collects in the space between the lungs and chest wall, a rare complication called pneumothorax can occur.
Hoarse voice: Hoarse voice is a rare complication caused by damage to the nerves that regulate the vocal cords.
How long does a mediastinoscopy typically take?
The duration of a mediastinoscopy is usually around 30 to 60 minutes. The exact duration, however, may vary depending on the complexity of the procedure and the possible presence of abnormal tissue requiring biopsy. The length of stay in the clinic after a mediastinoscopy is generally 24 to 72 hours.
What are the expected results ?
Expected results of a mediastinoscopy include:
Proper diagnosis: Mediastinoscopy allows accurate diagnosis of mediastinal conditions, such as specific non-tumor lesions, suspicious masses or swollen lymph nodes.
Biopsies: It allows biopsies to analyze tissues or lymph nodes taken in the laboratory , which can help identify the nature of the swelling or lesions.
Direct visual examination: The organs between the two lungs, such as the heart, the main bronchi, thymus and lymph nodes, can be visually examined during mediastinoscopy.
In summary, mediastinoscopy allows precise diagnosis and the performance of biopsies to analyze tissues or lymph nodes taken in the laboratory.
How long does recovery take after mediastinoscopy?
After the procedure, patients are usually monitored for a few hours in the recovery room before receiving pain medication. In the days following the procedure, they can return to their usual activities.
Are there alternatives to mediastinoscopy?
Alternative methods of diagnosing mediastinal diseases include mediastinoscopy. These alternatives include:
Positron emission tomography (PET): A medical imaging technique called PET scan uses radiation to create detailed images of the inside of the body. It can be used to identify lesions and tumors of the mediastinum.
Computer tomography (CT): The medical imaging technique known as CT name uses X-rays to create detailed images of the inside of the body. It can be used to identify lesions and tumors of the mediastinum.
Thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a thoracoscope, a medical instrument equipped with a camera and small surgical instruments to examine the inside of the chest. It can be used in the diagnosis of mediastinal diseases.
Mediastinotomy: Mediastinotomy is a surgical procedure that opens the rib cage to perform biopsies or tissue samples and access the mediastinum.
What are the criteria to be eligible for a mediastinoscopy?
Criteria for being eligible for a mediastinoscopy generally include the need to explore the mediastinum for:
Diagnose specific non-tumor mediastinal lesions.
Find the cause of enlarged lymph nodes.
Lymph node biopsy for cancer diagnosis.
Find the cause of inflammation in the esophagus.
Find the cause of compression of the trachea or bronchi.
Are there any long term side effects?
Side effects of mediastinoscopy are rare in the long term. However, some patients may experience minor pain or a scar at the site of the incision.