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[Multilocular thymic cyst associated with rheumatoid arthritis].
Shinsuke Matsumoto1, Yoshio Mori, Hiroshi Takiya
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Gifu Prefectural Medical Center, Gifu, Japan.
Kyobu Geka. the Japanese Journal of Thoracic Surgery
|March 1, 2012
Summary
Surgical resection of a multilocular thymic cyst relieved rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. This suggests inflammation from autoimmune diseases may drive thymic cyst formation, and surgery could potentially slow rheumatoid arthritis progression.
Area of Science:
- Thoracic surgery
- Rheumatology
- Pathology
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease.
- Autoimmune inflammation is implicated in the development of certain tumors, including thymic epithelial tumors.
- Multilocular thymic cysts (MTCs) are rare mediastinal cystic lesions.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old woman with a 38-year history of RA presented with an anterior mediastinal mass.
- Imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass with high fluorodeoxyglucose uptake, initially suspected as thymoma.
- Surgical resection of the non-invasive mass was performed.
Findings:
- Pathological diagnosis confirmed a multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia.
- Post-surgery, the patient experienced significant alleviation of RA symptoms.
- A decreased inflammatory response was noted following the thymectomy.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between autoimmune inflammation in RA and MTC development.
- Surgical intervention for MTC may positively impact RA activity and inflammation.
- Further research is warranted to explore the relationship between autoimmune diseases and thymic cystic lesions.
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