Pericardial ectopic thymoma

Virchows Arch. 2005 Feb;446(2):185-8. doi: 10.1007/s00428-004-1093-2. Epub 2004 Dec 11.

Abstract

Primary intrapericardial thymoma is an unusual localization. We report a case of a patient with an isolated and primary pericardial thymoma. This 72-year-old woman presented with dyspnea, dysphony and myalgia. The radiological evaluation revealed an intrapericardial mass. Surgical exploration showed a hemorrhagic and infiltrative tumor in the pericardial sac, while the mediastinum was free of tumor. Surgical biopsies and, later, an ablation of pericardial mass were done. The tumor was a thymoma, composed of large epithelial cells and immature T lymphocytes and was classified B2 according to the World Health Organization classification (1999). Clinically, a myasthenia gravis was revealed. We discuss the few cases reported in the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD1 / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • CD3 Complex / analysis
  • CD5 Antigens / analysis
  • Choristoma*
  • Female
  • Heart Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Heart Neoplasms / pathology
  • Heart Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Pericardium* / pathology
  • Pericardium* / surgery
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes / pathology
  • Thymoma / diagnosis*
  • Thymoma / pathology
  • Thymoma / surgery
  • Thymus Gland*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD1
  • CD1a antigen
  • CD3 Complex
  • CD5 Antigens