Massive true thymic hyperplasia with osseous metaplasia

Radiol Case Rep. 2023 Apr 20;18(6):2307-2310. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2023.03.029. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Abstract

True thymic hyperplasia is defined as an increase in both the size and weight of the gland, while maintaining a normal microscopic architecture. Massive true thymic hyperplasia is a rare type of hyperplasia that compresses adjacent structures and causes various symptoms. Limited reports address the imaging findings of massive true thymic hyperplasia. Herein, we report a case of massive true thymic hyperplasia in a 3-year-old girl with no remarkable medical history. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed an anterior mediastinal mass with a bilobed configuration containing punctate and linear calcifications in curvilinear septa, which corresponded to lamellar bone deposits in the interlobular septa. To our knowledge, this is the first report of massive true thymic hyperplasia with osseous metaplasia. We also discuss the imaging features and etiology of massive true thymic hyperplasia with osseous metaplasia.

Keywords: Massive true thymic hyperplasia; Osseous metaplasia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports