Abstract
A 17-month-old female was first admitted to our hospital at 7 months of age because of an anterior mediastinal mass associated with mild respiratory symptoms. She underwent a biopsy of the mass that disclosed benign thymic hyperplasia. She came back 8 months later with a larger mass of the mediastinum obstructing the airway. She was intubated and underwent excision of the mass; the histological diagnosis was malignant mesenchymoma. From this experience, it is suggested that more aggressive follow-up, including repeated biopsy, must be considered for a persistent large thymic mass.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ammann AJ, Wara WM, Wara DW (1977) Immunologic competence in adults following thymic irradiation in infancy. Radiology 124: 209–211
Blasimann B, Kuffer F, Bettex M (1977) Surgical considerations on hyperplasia of the thymus. Z Kinderchir 21: 214–230
Holdsworth Mayer CM, Favara BE, Holton CP (1974) Malignant mesenchymoma in infants. AM J Dis Child 128: 847–850
Nash A, Stout AP (1961) Malignant mesenchymomas in children. Cancer 14: 524–533
Sealy WC, Weaver WL, Young WG Jr (1965) Severe airway obstruction in infancy due to the thymus gland. Ann Thorac Surg 1: 389–402
Stout AP, Lattes R (1967) Tumors of the soft tissues. Universities Associated for Research and Education in Pathology, Bethesda, Maryland, pp 172–173
Zollinger RM, Lindem MC, Filler RM (1964) Effect of thymectomy on skin-homograft survival in children. New Engl J Med 270: 707–709
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Offprint requests to: T. Muraji
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Attar, Z., Muraji, T., Matsumoto, Y. et al. Malignant mesenchymoma of the mediastinum initially presenting as benign thymic hyperplasia. Pediatr Surg Int 4, 56–58 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173086
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173086