Summary
Real-time sonography has proved to be a valuable tool in the evaluation of the mediastinum in children. In the literature there is a paucity of information on ultrasound examination of the mediastinum in adults. Using a 3.5-MHz sector scanner, we evaluated a new method for the examination of mediastinal organs in adults, which is practicable in routine as well as emergency diagnosis. The endpoints of this study were the visibility of mediastinal organs and the discomfort of the patient. In 100 healthy volunteers aged 20–40 years, the normal anatomy of the anterior and middle mediastinum was investigated. Neither the height nor the weight of the volunteers limited the examination. We found that this method causes no discomfort to the subject. Via the supra-, infra- and left parasternal approaches, anatomical structures of the mediastinum are visible in a high percentage of cases. To date, this method has proved its practicability in more than 250 patients suffering from blunt thoracic trauma, primary and metastatic tumours, and infections of the mediastinum.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brtiggemann A, Lepsien G (1990) Sonography of the mediastinum in adults: normal anatomy and pathological findings (abstract). Surg Endosc 4: 49
Brtiggemann A, Greie A, Isemer F-E, Lepsien G, Peiper H-J (1991) Die real-time Sonography in der Diagnostik mediastinaler Raumforderungen beim Erwachsenen. Chimrg (in press)
Helzel M (1985) Sonographische Topographie des oberen vorderen Mediastinums. Ultraschall 6: 101 -105
Jaffe CC (1981) Sonograms, radiographs and the mediastinum. AJR 137:422
Lengerke HJ von, Schmidt H (1988) Mediastinalsonographie im Kindesalter. Radiologe 28: 460–465
Liu P, Daneman A, Stringer DA (1988) Real-time sonography of mediasfinal and juxtamediastinal masses in infants and children. J Can Assoc Radiol 39: 198–203
Miller JH, Reid BS, Kemberling CR (1984) Water-path ultrasound of chest disease in childhood. Radiology 152: 401–408
Reither M (1984) Thoraxsonographie im Kindesalter. R6ntgenpraxis 37:375–380
Ries T, Currarino G, Nikaidoh H, Kennedy L (1982) Real-time ultrasonography of subcarinal bronchogenic cysts in two children. Radiology 145: 121–122
Wernecke K, P6tter R, Peters PE, Koch P (1988) Parasternal mediastinal sonography: sensitivity in the detection of anterior mediastinal and subcarinal tumors. AJR 150: 1021–1026
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brüggemann, A., Greie, A. & Lepsien, G. Real-time sonography of the mediastinum in adults: a study in 100 healthy volunteers. Surg Endosc 5, 150–153 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02653224
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02653224