Dilemma in the diagnosis of mediastinal adenopathy in the South Asian population-role of CT guided biopsy, mediastinoscopy and video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS)

The diagnosis of mediastinal adenopathy is a dilemma amongst treating physicians especially in South Asia. This is because although tuberculosis is endemic in this region, many a times lymphoma and sarcoidosis cannot be excluded. Often patients are being treated with medications without a confirmed diagnosis. The Video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) has revolutionized the way mediastinal adenopathy is diagnosed and managed in this part of the world.