Thymic hyperplasia is frequently observed in Graves' disease. However, detectable massive enlargement of the thymus is rare, and the mechanism of its formation has remained elusive. This case showed dynamic changes in thymic hyperplasia on serial computed tomography images consistent with changes in serum thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R) antibodies and thyroid hormone levels. Furthermore, the patie...

A 26 year-old man with suspected Cushing's disease underwent transsphenoidal exploration of the pituitary without any evidence of microadenoma or hyperplasia. Progressive hypercortisolism necessitated bilateral adrenalectomy. Postoperatively, skin pigmentation gradually developed with a marked elevation of plasma ACTH levels, and CT scanning uncovered a thymic mass. Following removal of the thy...

BACKGROUND Thymic lymphoid hyperplasia is often present with myasthenia gravis as well as other autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Of the 4 cases of thymic lymphoid hyperplasia associated with Sjögren syndrome that have been reported, no case with a thymic lesion diagnosis that led to the diagnosis of Sjögren syndrome has been reported. We herein ...

The most common form of Myasthenia gravis (MG) is due to anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and is frequently associated with thymic pathology. In this review, we discuss the immunopathological characteristics and molecular mechanisms of thymic follicular hyperplasia, the effects of corticosteroids on this thymic pathology, and the role of thymic epithelial cells (TEC), a key player ...

A 32-year-old female case of large thymic hyperplasia with hyperthyroidism is reported. A computed tomography (CT) examination disclosed a large mediastinal mass (16 x 11 cm) with a heterogeneous internal structure containing both soft tissue density areas and fat density areas. The mass was histologically diagnosed as thymic lymphoid hyperplasia. The thymic mass enlarged during hyperthyroidism...

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate chemical shift magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for differentiating thymic hyperplasia from tumors of the thymus gland. MATERIALS AND METHODS The institutional review board approved this study; informed consent was obtained and patient confidentiality was protected. The authors assessed 41 patients (17 male, 24 female; age range, 16-78 years) in whom thymic le...

ectopic cervical thymus (ect) is an essentially benign condition that is identified during the development of the thymus, and is rare among the adult population. thymic hyperplasia is another thymus-associated condition, which is known to occur secondary to hyperthyroidism. a 39-year-old woman with hyperthyroidism presented with an enlarging submandibular mass, which was diagnosed as a benign h...

PURPOSE To evaluate the imaging appearance of the thymus in the myasthenic patients by using chemical shift magnetic resonance imaging, and, to correlate the chemical shift ratio (CSR) with pathologic findings after surgical excision. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the past year, a total of 11 myasthenic patients (4 males, 7 females; age range of 26-65 years), have been investigated by MRI centered...

True massive thymic hyperplasia is a very rare entity, characterized by an increase in the size and weight of the thymus gland, without an apparent cause. Surgery has been required in patients with severe respiratory distress. We present an idiopathic true massive thymic hyperplasia in a 5-month-old boy.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness. Approximately 70% of patients with MG have thymic hyperplasia, and 10–20% of them have thymoma. In MG patients without thymoma, thymectomy should be performed only in selected patients. In contrast, thymectomy should be performed in all patients with thymoma. In addition, thoracoscopic thymecto...