Study objective: Evaluate the use of mediastinoscopy in the surgical diagnosis and treatment of mediastinal cystic masses in adults.
Design: Case reports and literature review.
Setting: Academic department of surgery.
Patients: Three consecutive adults with mediastinal masses identified on plain radiographs and CT.
Interventions: Operative mediastinoscopy.
Measurements and results: All patients were successfully treated with removal of cyst wall, establishment of diagnosis, and same-day hospital discharge.
Conclusions: Simple mediastinoscopic removal of mediastinal cysts offers the same potential for diagnosis and treatment as more conventional methods, with a potential for less morbid and more cost-effective care.