Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aberrant thymus — MR assessment

  • Originals
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Aberrant thymic tissue, particularly when it is located posteriorly, can present a diagnostic dilemma. Once a mediastinal “lesion” is defined on the plain film, MR is the most efficient and best diagnostic test for defining the nature of the mass and showing its relationship to other mediastinal structures. Two cases of aberrant thymic tissue, one on the right side and one on the left, are presented to elucidate the unique role of MRI.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Siegel MJ, Glazer HS, Wiener JI, Molina PL (1989) Normal and abnormal thymus in childhood: MR imaging. Radiology 172:367

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Molina PL, Siegel MJ, Glazer HS (1990) Thymic masses on MR imaging. AJR 155:495

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gray SW, Skandalakis JE (1972) Embryology for surgeons: the embryological basis for the treatment of congenital defects. Saunders, Philadelphia Toronto

    Google Scholar 

  4. Cory DA, Cohen MD, Smith JA (1987) Thymus in the superior mediastinum simulating adenopathy: appearance on CT. Radiology 162:457–459

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Shackelford GD, McAlister WH (1974) The aberrantly positioned thymus: a cause of mediastinal or neck masses in children. AJR 120:291

    Google Scholar 

  6. Cohen MD, Weber TR, Sequeira FW, Vane DW, King H (1983) The diagnostic dilemma of the posterior mediastinal thymus: CT manifestations. Radiology 146:691

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rollins NK, Currarino G (1988) Case report: MR imaging of posterior mediastinal thymus. J Comput Assist Tomogr 12:518

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Bar-Ziv J, Barki Y, Itzchak Y, Mares AJ (1984) Posterior mediastinal accessory thymus. Pediatr Radiol 14:165

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Saade M, Whitten DM, Necheles TF, Leape L, Darling D (1976) Posterior mediastinal accessory thymus. J Pediatr 88: 71

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Malone PS, Fitzgerald RJ (1987) Aberrant thymus: a misleading mediastinal mass. J Pediatr Surg 22:130

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Bach AM, Hilfer CL, Holgersen LO (1991) Left-sided posterior mediastinal thymus—MRI findings. Pediatr Radiol 21:440

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Han BK, Babcock DS, Oestreich AE (1989) Normal thymus in infancy: sonographic characteristics. Radiology 170:471

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Carty H (1990) Ultrasound of the normal thymus in the infant: a simple method of resolving a clinical dilemma. Br J Radiol 63:737

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Kuhn JP (1991) Pediatric thorax. In: Naidich DP, Zerhouni EA, Siegelman SS (eds) Computed tomography and magnetic resonance of the thorax. Raven Press, New York, p 505

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3901 Beaubien Blvd., 48201, Detroit, Michigan, USA

    T. L. Slovis

  2. Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, 3705 Fifth Ave., 15213, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    M. Meza

  3. Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 219 Bryant St., 14222, Buffalo, NY, USA

    J. P. Kuhn

Authors
  1. T. L. Slovis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. Meza
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. P. Kuhn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Slovis, T.L., Meza, M. & Kuhn, J.P. Aberrant thymus — MR assessment. Pediatr Radiol 22, 490–492 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012990

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02012990

Keywords

Search

Navigation