MRI and Mediastinoscopy with Biopsy
MRI is done to determine the tissue elements in the tumour accurately. This test is imperative because it helps differentiate cancer tissues from normal tissues. For example, Chemical-shift MRI separates normal thymus and thymic hyperplasia from thymic cancers and lymphoma. Also, Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) is used to evaluate minor metabolic differences between tissues and organs.
This test aims to extract tissues from the mediastinum to evaluate the kind of tumour. Anaesthesia is administered to reduce pain and discomfort during the procedure. Your doctor makes a tiny cut beneath the sternum, and a portion of tissue is extracted. The portion of the sample is taken to the lab for proper analysis and to know if the tumour is cancerous. An expert must do this procedure with great precision.