ORL; journal for oto-rhino-laryngology and its related specialties
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ORL J. Otorhinolaryngol. Relat. Spec. · Sep 1995
Mediastinal staging of non-small-cell lung cancer: computed tomography and cervical mediastinoscopy.
The exact indications for computed tomography (CT) of the thorax and mediastinoscopy (MS) in lung cancer still remain incompletely defined. The present study was designed to establish a standard approach to cervical MS for otolaryngologists, who in Denmark are traditionally involved in the staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty-four potentially operable patients with NSCLC underwent thoracic CT prior to bronchoscopy and cervical MS. ⋯ It is concluded that because of the relatively low sensitivity and specificity of mediastinal CT, cervical MS remains essential in the evaluation of patients with presumed or verified NSCLC and that cervical MS, in experienced hands, is a safe and accurate procedure. For Danish otolaryngologists, the strategy of routine cervical MS, performed under general anaesthesia in the same stage as bronchoscopy, is advocated as a standard approach to mediastinal assessment for the staging of NSCLC. However, thoraco-abdominal CT is advocated for all patients with NSCLC, in whom operation is contemplated, as a supplementary investigation after other routine diagnostic and staging procedures, including cervical MS, have been carried out.