Mediastinal thymolipoma: an analysis of 10 cases

Thymolipoma is a benign tumour composed of thymic elements and adipose tissue. It may be associated with myasthenia gravis or immune disorders. We aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiological features of thymolipoma. The clinical data from 10 cases of thymolipoma, diagnosed at our centre between 2002 and 2004, were analysed retrospectively. There were six female and four male patients, whose ages ranged from 16 to 67 years, with a mean age of 34.1 years. All but two patients had pulmonary or extrapulmonary symptoms. Five patients also had myasthenia gravis. All thymolipomas were localized in the anterior superior mediastinum. The surgical approach was sternotomy in nine cases and thoracotomy in one case. Thymectomy was performed on all patients. Thymolipomas are unusual tumours and may be associated with myasthenia gravis. Surgical resection is the most appropriate treatment modality.