Huge Congenital Thymic Cyst with Microscopic Thymoma

Alberto Terminella, Giacomo Cusumano, Ignazio Vasta, Rosalia Giarlotta, Salvatore Bellofiore, Carmelo Riscica Lizzio, Salvatore Saita, Maria D’Arrigo

Department of Histopathology, “Vittorio Emanuele—Policlinico” Hospital, Catania, Italy.
Division of General Thoracic Surgery, “Vittorio Emanuele—Policlinico” Hospital, Catania, Italy.

DOI: 10.4236/wjcs.2013.33021                

Abstract

The congenital thymic cysts are rare. They have a congenital origin and they are benign. The differential diagnosis of acquired cysts, cystic thymoma and thymic malignancies in cystic degeneration can be particularly difficult. Rarely, they assume clinical relevance for the appearance of symptoms of compression, more typical of malignant lesions, and the association with thymoma was reported in very few cases in literature. For all these features, treatment strategy remains controversial and in particular surgical approach. We report a case of a huge symptomatic congenital thymic cyst, surgically removed with histological finding of microscopic thymoma.

Keywords

Thymic Cystis; Thymoma; Mediastinal Tumor; Surgery

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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