Echoendoscopy in lung carcinoma and posterior mediastinum tumors

EUS allows accurate US exploration of the posterior mediastinum through the esophagus. EUS, CT, and explorative thoracotomy findings were compared in 11 patients with lung carcinomas and four patients with posterior mediastinum tumor (two paraesophageal cysts, two sarcomas). In lung carcinomas, EUS showed more accurately than CT paraesophageal lymph nodes, above 5 mm in size. Metastatic lymph nodes have a specific US appearance, allowing most of the time distinction with inflammatory or anthracosci lymph nodes. In posterior mediastinal tumors, EUS evidenced the lesion and its structure (solid or cystic), its real size and extension within the mediastinum, and its anatomic relationships. Metastatic lymph nodes and resectability were also correctly predicted