Chest CT: Thymoma

Robert A. Novelline, M.D.

Scholar

Professor of Radiology

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, MA.

Initial Chest Films

Initial CT Scan

Sagittal Reformations

Coronal Reformations

Post-Operative Chest Films

Comparison Pre and Post Op

CT of Thymoma

• Will appear as a smoothly margined, homogeneous, rounded or lobulated, soft tissue mass in the anterior mediastinum

• Mass is completely or partially outlined by fat density (fat planes separating mass from other mediastinal structures)

• Mass enhances homogeneously with IV contrast• Areas of decreased attenuation may indicated cystic

change or foci of hemorrhage or necrosis• Calcifications may be seen in the mass• Irregular margins and loss of fat plane suggest invasion• Diff DX: lymphoma, teratoma, thyroid mass