[Computed tomography of thymic hyperplasia in older children]

Computed tomography (CT) findings of 8 cases of thymic hyperplasia in children aged 7 to 15 years were retrospectively analyzed in comparison to 8 cases of tumors of anterior mediastinum. All cases of thymic hyperplasia retained a somewhat triangular or arrowhead-like shape at least on one side while tumors showed bilateral globular contour with lobulated border. No compression of the air way or pleural fluid was observed in thymic hyperplasia. These CT features are useful for making a diagnosis of thymic hyperplasia when an older child is presented with an anterior mediastinal mass on chest X-ray.