Deflection of Mediastinum-Mediastinitis-Mediastinal Tumors or Cysts-Mediastinoscopy

Deflection of Mediastinum

In the cadaver, the mediastinum, as the result of the hardening effect of the preserving fluids, is an inflexible, fixed structure. In the living, it is very mobile; the lungs, heart, and large arteries are in rhythmic pulsation, and the esophagus distends as each bolus of food passes through it.

If air enters the pleural cavity (a condition called pneumothorax), the lung on that side immediately collapses and the mediastinum is displaced to the opposite side. This condition reveals itself by the patient’s being breathless and in a state of shock; on examination, the trachea and the heart are found to be displaced to the opposite side

 

Mediastinitis

The structures that make up the mediastinum are embedded in loose connective tissue that is continuous with that of the root of the neck. Thus, it is possible for a deep infection of the neck to spread readily into the thorax, producing a mediastinitis. Penetrating wounds of the chest involving the esophagus may produce a mediastinitis. In esophageal perforations, air escapes into the connective tissue spaces and ascends beneath the fascia to the root of the neck, producing subcutaneous emphysema.

Mediastinal Tumors or Cysts

Because many vital structures are crowded together within the mediastinum, their functions can be interfered with by an enlarging tumor or organ. A tumor of the left lung can rapidly spread to involve the mediastinal lymph nodes, which on enlargement may compress the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, producing paralysis of the left vocal fold. An expanding cyst or tumor can partially occlude the superior vena cava, causing severe congestion of the veins of the upper part of the body. Other pressure effects can be seen on the sympathetic trunks, phrenic nerves, and sometimes the trachea, main bronchi, and esophagus.

Mediastinoscopy

Mediastinoscopy is a diagnostic procedure whereby specimens of tracheobronchial lymph nodes are obtained without opening the pleural cavities. A small incision is made in the midline in the neck just above the suprasternal notch, and the superior mediastinum is explored down to the region of the bifurcation of the trachea. The procedure can be used to determine the diagnosis and degree of spread of carcinoma of the bronchus

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