Transjugular Approach to the Mediastinum for Mediastinal Needle Biopsy A Preliminary Report

Abstract

A method for transjugular exploration of the mediastinum is described. Under local anesthesia a blunt cannula with approximtely a 2mm external diameter is inserted into the jugular fossa and is advanced gently under biplane ntgen television monitoring into the paratracheal soft tissues, carbon dioxide is blown through the cannula. The tip of the cannula is placed against a suspected tumor or lymph node and tissue material is obtained through a thin biopsy needle inserted into the cannula. The technique appears to be of value in the examination of radiologically demonstrable lymph node and tumor structures in the mediastinum because it is simple and appears to be innocuous.