Mediastinal thymolipoma: An analysis of 10 cases

Abstract

Thymolipoma is a benign tumour composed of thymic elements and adipose tissue. It may be associated with myasthenia gravis or immune disorders. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological features of thymolipoma. The clinical data from 10 cases of thymolipoma, diagnosed at our centre between 2002 and 2004, were analysed retrospectively. There were six female and four male patients, whose ages ranged from 16 to 67 years, with a mean age of 34.1 years. All but two patients had pulmonary or extrapulmonary symptoms. Five patients also had myasthenia gravis. All thymolipomas were localized in the anterior superior mediastinum. The surgical approach was sternotomy in nine cases and thoracotomy in one case. Thymectomy was performed on all patients. Thymolipomas are unusual tumours and may be associated with myasthenia gravis. Surgical resection is the most appropriate treatment modality.

Thymolipoma. A report of nine cases, with emphasis on its association with myasthenia gravis

“…The number of myasthenia gravis patients with a thymolipoma varies considerably, with a maximum of up to 50%. 1,[7][8][9] Since most studies investigate only a limited number of cases, there are no reliable data. Improvement of myasthenia gravis within several months after the removal of the tumor has been reported.…”

“…Improvement of myasthenia gravis within several months after the removal of the tumor has been reported. 9 Other paraneoplastic diseases associated with thymolipoma are aplastic anemia, as well as Graves' disease and hypogammaglobulinemia. 9 Seven out of nine patients had myasthenia gravis in the current series.…”

“…9 Other paraneoplastic diseases associated with thymolipoma are aplastic anemia, as well as Graves' disease and hypogammaglobulinemia. 9 Seven out of nine patients had myasthenia gravis in the current series. Myasthenia gravis was the reason for the thymectomy in one patient, even when X-ray or CT scan could not detect a tumor.…”

“…[4][5][6] The incidence of myasthenia gravis associated with thymolipomas is between 2.8% and 50%. [7][8][9] The symptoms of myasthenia gravis may improve after the resection of the tumor in some patients. 9 In rare cases, a thymolipoma may be associated with thymoma or thymic malignant lymphoma.…”

“…[7][8][9] The symptoms of myasthenia gravis may improve after the resection of the tumor in some patients. 9 In rare cases, a thymolipoma may be associated with thymoma or thymic malignant lymphoma. 10,11 This retrospective study reviews the cases of nine patients at a single institution with special emphasis on myasthenia gravis, since myasthenia gravis was the initial presentation in most of these patients.…”