Bronchoscopy vs. Mediastinoscopy — What's the Difference?

Bronchoscopy is an endoscopic technique of visualizing the inside of the airways for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. An instrument (bronchoscope) is inserted into the airways, usually through the nose or mouth, or occasionally through a tracheostomy.

Mediastinoscopy is a procedure that enables visualization of the contents of the mediastinum, usually for the purpose of obtaining a biopsy. Mediastinoscopy is often used for staging of lymph nodes of lung cancer or for diagnosing other conditions affecting structures in the mediastinum such as sarcoidosis or lymphoma.

A slender tubular instrument with a small light on the end for inspection of the interior of the bronchi.

(medicine) A surgical procedure for examining the inside of the mediastinum and the organs it encloses through a small incision, using an endoscope and usually under general anesthesia.

(medicine) A technique for viewing the bronchi using a flexible instrument called a bronchoscope.