[MR imaging of the thymoma--differentiation of invasive thymoma from noninvasive thymoma]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were reviewed in nine patients with histologically confirmed thymoma. The morphologic findings obtained by MRI were useful in distinguishing invasive from noninvasive thymoma. Invasive thymomas (2 cases) showed irregular contours and broad obliteration of the fatty plane between the mass and great vessels on T1-weighted coronary images. Perivascular infiltration shadow was considered to be characteristic of invasive thymoma. Noninvasive thymomas (7 cases) were round or oval in shape and showed slight obliteration of the fatty plane. In conclusion, MRI was helpful in differentiating invasive from noninvasive thymoma and defining the extent of thymoma.