What are mediastinal lymph nodes?
Mediastinal lymph nodes are anatomical structures that play an important role in the lymphatic system of the body. They are located in an area of the body called mediastinum, which is part of the chest cavity between the heart and the lungs. Unlike some other lymph nodes of the body, they cannot be felt through the skin and can only be evaluated by radiographic techniques. These lymph nodes can be enlarged due to conditions such as cancer, infection and sarcoidosis. While some have a more superficial place and may be felt through the skin, others are found in deeper areas of the body. For example, mediastinal lymph nodes are located centrally in the chest cavity in the area between the lungs. They surround the trachea, esophagus, aort, pulmonary veins and the central part of the lungs. Strong aging, because these structures cannot be felt through the skin. For example, chest X -ray can show the expansion of the mediastinal area. A more definitive diagnosis is often done by making computer tomography (CT) chest scan.When evaluating whether nodes are enlarged secondary to spread cancer, scanning of positron emissions (PET) can also identify these nodes.
These lymph nodes can increase for many reasons. Cancer, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, chronic lymphocyte lymphoma or testicular cancer, could cause this problem for exmaps. Lung disease caused by a number of pathological substances, including different types of bacteria and mushrooms, can also cause it. Enlarged lymph nodes in the chest are also associated with sarcoidosis, a condition that can cause problems with lungs, heart disease and eye problems.
abnormal nodes can sometimes be surgically accessible for many reasons. If the patient is suspected of having cancer, surgeons may try to take a sample to see if it has been affected by its spread. This provides important information about the prognosis of the patient with cancer and also helps to determine howThe type of treatment is best suited for the patient's disease. If the patient has enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes for unknown reasons, the sample of these structures may be important because microscopic examination of the content can help in the diagnosis of the basic condition.