J Korean Radiol Soc.  1990 Jun;26(3):517-524. 10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.3.517.

Measurement of thymus by computed tomography in normal Korean

• Park CH
• Suh OJ
• Kim H
• Zeon SK
• Suh SJ

• KMID: 2358892
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.3.517

Abstract

Understanding of variation in size, shape and density of the normal thymus on CT scans is essential to interprete correctly the images of this organ produced by CT scanning. The results were as follows: 1. The thymus was seen in 100% of cases under age 20, 85% of cases between 20 and 29 years, 75% of cases between 30 and 39 years, 55% of cases between 40 and 49 years, and in 25% over 49 years of age. 2. The thymic shape was divided into three types, that is, arrowhead, separated lobes, and one lobe. Among these, type I (arrowhead) was most commonly visualized on CT scans(78.2%). 3. The thickness of the thymus revealed a remarkable decrease in size with increasing age; although the width revealed a similar tendency, some variation was noted within each age groups.4. With rare exceptions, the left lobe was larger than the right. 5. In younger cases, the denstiy of the thymus was similar to that of chest muscle; the CT attenuation value gradually decrease with increasing age, finally approaching that of fat. 6. There was no statistical difference of incidence, shape, size and density of the thymus between male and female.

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Incidence
Male
Sagittaria
Thorax
Thymus Gland*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed