Massive thymic hyperplasia

doi:10.1016/0003-4975(93)90033-E

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

Volume 55, Issue 5, May 1993, Pages 1197-1201

https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-4975(93)90033-E Get rights and content

Abstract

Massive thymic hyperplasia is an extremely rare form of true thymic hyperplasia most often described in infants and children. Hyperplasia of this order is not known to occur in any other organ, and its etiology and prognostic significance remain unknown. As there is no accurate way of preoperatively differentiating massive thymic hyperplasia from other tumors of the thymus and anterior mediastinum, we advise excision in all cases for histological analysis and relief of mediastinal compression. This description of 4 cases updates the 30 previously reported cases, and includes a literature review.

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Cited by (52)

A rare case of true thymic hyperplasia in an adult
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True thymic hyperplasia is defined as an increase in both the size and weight of the gland, while maintaining a normal microscopic architecture. Massive true thymic hyperplasia is a rare type of hyperplasia that compresses adjacent structures and causes various symptoms.
Limited reports address the imaging findings of massive true thymic hyperplasia. Herein, we report a case of massive true thymic hyperplasia in a 3-year-old girl with no remarkable medical history. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed an anterior mediastinal mass with a bilobed configuration containing punctate and linear calcifications in curvilinear septa, which corresponded to lamellar bone deposits in the interlobular septa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of massive true thymic hyperplasia with osseous metaplasia. We also discuss the imaging features and etiology of massive true thymic hyperplasia with osseous metaplasia.
Massive thymic hyperplasia in an adult: A rare case report and literature review
2018, International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
Citation Excerpt :
Interestingly, previous study also reported that thymic hyperplasia may correlate with Graves disease and degenerate after treatments of thyroid diseases [5]. When it came to the criteria to characterize “massive” in true thymic hyperplasia, Linegar et al. [2] recommended the guidelines below: (1) The size on chest radiograph is larger than the heart shadow; (2) The weight of the thymus should be several times the normal weight for the specific age and sex group; and (3) The weight of the thymus should be above 2% of the mass. Our case met all the criteria above.
Massive thymic hyperplasia is an extremely rare disorder, with fewer than 60 cases reported so far. Majority of the previous cases occurred in neonates, infants, and older children.
A man was found to have an anterior mediastinal mass without any symptoms at 30 years of age. Operation was done successfully. The mass measured 112 mm × 191 mm × 184 mm and weighed 2141 g. Histological and immunohistochemical findings further confirmed the diagnosis of massive thymic hyperplasia. The complication of postoperative chylothorax occurred, which has not been previously reported in MTH. After undergoing conservative treatment, the patient finally recovered.
This is the first case of massive thymic hyperplasia reported in an adult (defined as ≥ 18 years old). Chylothorax is one of the potentially fatal complications. However, we carried out effective treatments, which are educational and clinically interesting to surgeons and clinicians.
Although not previously reported, massive thymic hyperplasia could also be found in adults. The main treatment for massive thymic hyperplasia is surgical removal. Good clinical effects on post-thymectomy chylothorax are available after undergoing conservative treatment.
Cysts of the Lungs and Mediastinum
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True thymic hyperplasia in an infant
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Original articleMassive thymic hyperplasia

Abstract

Hum Pathol

Ann Thorac Surg

J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg

Ann Thorac Surg

True thymic hyperplasia: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Histopathology

Tumor-like massive thymic hyperplasia in childhood: a possible defect of T-cell maturation, histological and cytoenzymatic studies in three cases

Thymus

Normal mediastinal mass in late childhood

Pediatr Radiol

Computerized tomography and ultra-sonographic findings in massive thymic hyperplasia. Case report and review of current concepts

Clin Pediatr

Hyperplasia of the thymus and thymic neoplasms in children

Milit Med

Iperplasia gigante del timo nell'infanzia

Pathologica

Massive thymic enlargement. Report of a case of gross thymic hyperplasia in a child

Am J Clin Pathol

Original article
Massive thymic hyperplasia