Computed tomography of the anterior mediastinum in myasthemia gravis: a radiologic-pathologic correlative study

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · Radiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:5799757

Fon, G T; Bein, M E; Mancuso, A A; Keesey, J C; Lupetin, A R; Wong, W S

Chest radiographs and computed tomographic (CT) scans of the mediastinum were correlated with pathologic findings of the thymus following thymectomy in 57 patients with myasthenia gravis. Based on the patient's age and the overall morphology of the anterior mediastinum, CT scans were assigned one of four grades in an attempt to predict thymus pathologic findings. Using this grading, 14 of 16 cases of thymoma were suspected or definitely diagnosed. One of the two cases not diagnosed on CT was a microscopic tumor. There were no false-positive diagnoses in 11 cases graded as definitely thymoma. We conclude that thymoma can be sensitively diagnosed in patients older than 40 years of age. However, thymoma cannot be predicted with a high level of confidence in patients younger than 40 because of the difficulty in differentiating normal thymus or hyperplasia from thymoma. Recommendations for the use of CT in the preoperative evaluation of myasthenic patients are presented.

• Research Organization: UCLA Center for the Health Sciences, Los Angeles, CA
• OSTI ID: 5799757
• Journal Information: Radiology; (United States), Journal Name: Radiology; (United States) Vol. 142:1; ISSN RADLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
AGE DEPENDENCE
BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY
BODY
BODY AREAS
CHEST
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
DIAGNOSIS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DISEASES
MEDIASTINU
MEDIASTINUM
MEDICINE
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEAR MEDICINE
PATIENTS
RADIOLOGY
RECOMMENDATIONS
SURGERY
TOMOGRAPHY