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

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 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), Vol. 142:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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