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Multilocular thymic cyst associated with Sjögren's syndrome.
K Kondo1, T Miyoshi, S Sakiyama
1Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Tokushima, Japan. kondo@clin.med.tokushima-u.ac.jp
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|October 18, 2001
Summary
Sjögren's syndrome can be associated with unusual thymic cysts in the mediastinum. This case highlights multilocular thymic cysts as a rare manifestation in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pathology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder primarily affecting exocrine glands.
- Anterior mediastinal masses can present diagnostic challenges, with thymoma being a common consideration.
Observation:
- A 61-year-old woman with Sjögren's syndrome developed an anterior mediastinal mass.
- Preoperative diagnosis suggested Sjögren's syndrome with thymoma.
- Surgical resection revealed a multilocular cystic mass.
Findings:
- Macroscopic examination showed thick-walled multiloculated cavities with turbid fluid.
- Microscopic analysis revealed cyst lining continuous with thymic lobules, inflammation, cholesterol granulomas, and lymphofollicular hyperplasia.
- The final diagnosis was multilocular thymic cysts associated with Sjögren's syndrome.
Implications:
- This case expands the spectrum of thymic pathologies associated with Sjögren's syndrome.
- Multilocular thymic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses in patients with Sjögren's syndrome.
- Understanding this association may improve diagnostic accuracy and patient management.