“ Thymoma is the most common neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum. It affects those aged 50-60 years most commonly. Associated with myasthe...
“
Thymoma is the most common neoplasm of the anterior mediastinum. It affects those aged 50-60 years most commonly. Associated with myasthenia gravis (35% of patients with thymomas have myasthenia gravis), red cell aplasia (50% develop thymoma) and hypogammaglobulinaemia.
Thymoma Is isointense to skeletal muscle on T1 weighted MRI images
CT
• Imaging is not reliable for distinguishing thymoma from thymic carcinoma.
• Rounded enlargement of the thymus is seen in both, commonly with calcification (up to a quarter of cases).
• Lymph node enlargement and local invasion suggest malignancy.
• Drop metastases to the pleura—but more common with thymoma.
PET/CT
• Useful for surveillance and staging.
Thymic carcinoma. CT image demonstrating a soft tissue anterior mediastinal mass invading the mediastinum/pericardium (red arrow). There is focal pleural thickening in keeping with pleural metastases (white arrow).
”
- For Radiology Cases, Discussion join: Radiology Made Easy on Facebook
- Subscribe to our youtube channel for FRCR radiology case discussion
- Join our Telegram group: Radiology Made Easy
