Safe diagnostic management of malignant mediastinal tumors in the presence of respiratory distress: a 10-year experience

This retrospective study of 12 pediatric patients demonstrates that malignant mediastinal tumors causing respiratory distress can be safely diagnosed without general anesthesia in most cases. Using alternative methods like bone marrow smear, thoracentesis, and core needle biopsy under spontaneous breathing, 11 of 12 patients were successfully diagnosed without procedure-related mortality.