Cervical Mediastinoscopy Procedure

Submitted by Nic on October 16, 2012

The mediastinum is the area in the middle of the chest, between the lungs. A cervical mediastinoscopy is a procedure that scans this area of the body. A cervical mediastinoscopy is usually carried out to remove lymph nodes that are located in the center of the chest. A cervical mediastinoscopy biopsy is a procedure that removes biopsy tissue from a mass that is located in this area that is in the center of the chest.

Cervical mediastinoscopy is also known as cervical mediastinal exploration (CME). A cervical mediastinoscopy is a medical procedure that is performed by a thoracic surgeon. The tissues taken after a cervical mediastinoscopy are checked under a microscope to look for diseases like:

  • Inflammation
  • Infection
  • Cancers of the lung, bronchi and chest tissue
  • Sarcoidosis – this is a condition that causes inflammation in various organs like the liver, lymph nodes, spleen and lungs
  • Lymphoma – when cancer affects the lymphatic system.

Cervical mediastinoscopy surgery is carried out in the following manner. A general anesthetic will be given through an IV in either the hand or the arm. The patient’s neck is extended comfortably and the neck and chest are cleaned with a sterile solution. Then a small 1 ½ inch incision is made at the base of the neck. The doctor then separates the muscles of the lower neck and places the mediastinoscope through this opening. The mediastinoscope is a small metal tube with light inside through which the biopsies are done. The light helps the doctor to see the space between the patient’s lungs and heart. Tissue samples are then taken from the lymph nodes or other parts of the chest. Once the cervical mediastinoscopy procedure is over, the mediastinoscope is removed and the person sutured. The procedure can take anywhere from half an hour to two hours to complete. This procedure can be performed in the outpatient department or even by admitting the person in hospital.

As with any procedure, there may be some complications after a cervical mediastinoscopy procedure. Cervical mediastinoscopy complications include:-

  • Damage to the organs in the chest
  • Bleeding
  • Hoarseness
  • A collapsed lung ( Pneumothorax)
  • Infection
  • Lymphatic fluid leaking into the chest ( Chylothorax)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Swelling in the neck
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Redness, swelling or bleeding from the wound
  • Chest pain
  • Stiffness, rash, joint pain, fatigue or any other new symptom.

Be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms after a cervical mediastinoscopy.

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