Estadificación mediastinal del carcinoma de pulmón: el aporte de los nuevos métodos endoscópicos

mediastinal staging of lung cancer in potentially operable patients is a critical step in determining the therapeutic strategy. among the methods of staging, mediastinoscopy is the "gold standard" because it combines an 80% sensitivity with a low rate of complications. however it remains a surgical procedure. methods using endoscopic ultrasound to guide fine needle aspiration emerged as minimally invasive procedures presenting an alternative to surgical methods. because of their established diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity these methods are occupying a place in the mediastinal staging. this review deals with principles, clinical applications and the role of this new technology in the staging of lung cancer.