J Korean Radiol Soc.  1985 Apr;21(2):237-245. 10.3348/jkrs.1985.21.2.237.

Invasive thymoma; radiologic evaluation by computed tomography

• Yoon CS
• Choe KO

• KMID: 2462895
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1985.21.2.237

Abstract

In 6 cases of invasive thymoma proved histologically from 1981 to 1984 in Yonsei University Medical Center,the CT findings and pattern were analysed. The results were as follows 1. Of 6 case, 4 were males and 2 werefemales. All cases were between 40-64 years and the average was 51 year old. 2. Of 6 cases, 2 female patients wereassociated with myasthenia gravis. 3. By the histological examination, 2 were confirmed as mixed cell type, 2spindle cell type, 1 lymphocytic type and 1 epithelial cell type. 4. CT findings of invasive thymoma were 1) Adiscrete but lobulated and irregular marginated soft tissue mass in the superoanterior mediastinum replacing thenormal mediastinal fat tissue. 2) Usually irregular low density areas within the mass suggesting central necrosisor calcification in 1 of 6 cases was noted. 3) Local invasiveness of the mass shown as obliteration of the normalfat planes surrounding great vessels, irregular thickenings or nodular shadows of the pleura, diagphragm andpericardium and irregular and ragged tumor-lung interfaces if the tumor invaded to these structures. 4) Frequentextention of tumor to middle and post. mediastinum along pericardium or mediastinal pleura with resultantextrinsic indentation and/or invasion of the hilar region. 5) Extensive tumor infiltration to middle and post.mediastinum in 1 case, indistinguishable from lymphoma. 6) Low attenuation numbered area of brain in another 1case, but not confirmed histologically.

MeSH Terms

Brain
Epithelial Cells
Female
Humans
Lymphoma
Male
Mediastinum
Myasthenia Gravis
Pericardium
Pleura
Thymoma*