Mediastinoscopy

: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a tube into the chest to view the organs in the mediastinum. The tube is inserted through an incision above the breastbone.

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Endoscopic examination of the mediastinum through a suprasternal incision, usually for biopsy of paratracheal lymph node s. [mediastinum + G. skopeo, to view]

- anterior m. modification of the Chamberlain procedure in which a mediastinoscope is used for exploration of the anterior mediastinum and subaortic regions.

- extended m. cervical m. in which, in addition to the standard pre- and paratracheal exploration, the mediastinoscope is passed anterior to the innominate artery and aortic arch to provide access to the subaortic (aortopulmonary window) and anterior mediastinal lymph node s; an alternative to the Chamberlain procedure.

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me·di·as·ti·nos·co·py .mē-dē-.as-tə-'näs-kə-pē n, pl -pies examination of the mediastinum through an incision above the sternum

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n.

examination of the mediastinum, usually by means of an endoscope inserted through a small incision in the neck region. It can be used to assess the spread of intrathoracic tumours and for lymph node biopsy.

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me·di·as·ti·nos·co·py (me″de-as″tĭ-nosґkə-pe) examination of the mediastinum by means of an endoscope inserted through an anterior incision in the suprasternal notch, permitting direct inspection and biopsy of tissue in the anterior superior mediastinum.