Transesophageal Sonography for lung and mediastinum

OBJECTIVES: We previously described and showed that the method for cardiac de-airing involving: (1) bilateral, induced pulmonary collapse by opening both pleurae and disconnecting the ventilator before cardioplegic arrest and (2) gradual pulmonary perfusion and ventilation after cardioplegic arrest is superior to conventional de-airing methods, including carbon dioxide insufflation of the open mediastinum. This study investigated whether one or both components of this method are responsible for the effective de-airing of the heart...

UNLABELLED: Transesophageal sonography was originally used to assess esophageal-gastric neoplasm. The technique may also be useful in the evaluation of pulmonary neoplasms for possible mediastinal involvement, with regard to both T and N factors. OBJECTIVE: To consider the validity of this minimally-invasive technique for assessing possible mediastinal involvement by direct tumoral invasion (T4) and to help obtain the most accurate staging of lung cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with confirmed histopathological diagnoses of pulmonary neoplasm were examined by transesophageal sonography in order to evaluate possible mediastinal involvement...

PURPOSE: The usefulness of transesophageal sonography in staging lung cancer was examined. METHOD: Transoesophageal sonography was performed in 15 patients as a staging examination using either biplane or multiplane technique. The results were compared with other radiological techniques such as computed tomography and, if performed, with the findings in the operation. RESULTS: The neoplastic mass was correctly identified in 12 of the 15 patients...