PURPOSE: Thymolipomas are rare tumors of the anterior mediastinum accounting for up to 9% of all thymic tumors. These tumors are associated with autoimmune diseases in up to 50% of the patients, including myasthenia gravis, aplastic anemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, lichen planus, and Graves' disease. These tumors with a fatty appearance also can arise in older patients with autoimmune disease. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the thymolipomas from nine patients at a single institution, which were resected between 2002 and 2007. The clinical data as well as radiologic findings were evaluated, together with the follow-up. RESULTS: Seven patients initially presented with myasthenia gravis, and therefore they underwent a resection of the thymus, even though imaging techniques did not reveal a tumor in any of the cases. Another patient showed no symptoms of autoimmune disease for 20 years, and though cardiomegaly was suspected, further investigation revealed a thymolipoma. The symptoms of myasthenia gravis improved following the surgery in one patient. During follow-up, one patient died due to esophageal cancer, and the remaining patients are alive without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Thymolipomas are benign tumors that show an excellent outcome. Patients with autoimmune disease symptoms occasionally show an improvement of the symptoms after a resection of the tumors.
PURPOSE: Thymolipomas are rare tumors of the anterior mediastinum accounting for up to 9% of all thymic tumors. These tumors are associated with autoimmune diseases in up to 50% of the patients, including myasthenia gravis, aplastic anemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, lichen planus, and Graves' disease. These tumors with a fatty appearance also can arise in older patients with autoimmune disease. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated the thymolipomas from nine patients at a single institution, which were resected between 2002 and 2007. The clinical data as well as radiologic findings were evaluated, together with the follow-up. RESULTS: Seven patients initially presented with myasthenia gravis, and therefore they underwent a resection of the thymus, even though imaging techniques did not reveal a tumor in any of the cases. Another patient showed no symptoms of autoimmune disease for 20 years, and though cardiomegaly was suspected, further investigation revealed a thymolipoma. The symptoms of myasthenia gravis improved following the surgery in one patient. During follow-up, one patient died due to esophageal cancer, and the remaining patients are alive without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Thymolipomas are benign tumors that show an excellent outcome. Patients with autoimmune disease symptoms occasionally show an improvement of the symptoms after a resection of the tumors.
Authors: Mohamed F Binfalah; Hussein H Alhafnawi; Ahmed A Jaradat; Eslam Shosha; Ali J Alhilly; Firas K Al Nidawi; Mariam M Alhammadi; Moiz O Bakhiet; Fatema M Abdulla Journal: Neurosciences (Riyadh) Date: 2022-01 Impact factor: 0.735
Authors: Sharifah A Othman; Othman Y AlFrayyan; Zeead M AlGhamdi; Fahd Makhdom; Yasser AlJehani; Hatem Y Elbawab; Mohamed El-Shawarby Journal: Am J Case Rep Date: 2020-08-03