Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Reaggregate Thymus Cultures
05:47

Reaggregate Thymus Cultures

Published on: August 28, 2008

13.4K

Non-Myasthenia Gravis Immune Syndromes and the Thymus: Is There a Role for Thymectomy?

Sean C Wightman1, Joseph B Shrager1

  • 1Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University Hospitals and Clinics, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.

Thoracic Surgery Clinics
|April 1, 2019
PubMed

Thymectomy has long been considered, performed, and discussed for many different nonmyasthenic immune syndromes. Thymectomy is now an established treatment for MG, and has been performed for other immune syndromes with varying degrees of improvement. Although numerous reports document immune syndromes' association with thymoma, few address the role of thymectomy in symptom resolution. This review assesses thymectomy in the various nonmyasthenic immune syndromes for which it has been tried. Based on this review, it seems appropriate to revisit a more active role for thymectomy in pure red cell aplasia, pemphigus, rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and ulcerative colitis.

Keywords:
Autoimmune diseaseImmune syndromeThymectomyThymic epithelial tumorThymoma

More Related Videos

Complete Thymectomy in Adult Rats with Non-invasive Endotracheal Intubation08:35

Complete Thymectomy in Adult Rats with Non-invasive Endotracheal Intubation

Published on: December 29, 2014

17.3K
Preparation of 2-dGuo-Treated Thymus Organ Cultures07:50

Preparation of 2-dGuo-Treated Thymus Organ Cultures

Published on: August 28, 2008

15.0K

Related Concept Videos

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
2.9K
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
2.1K
What is the Immune System?01:38

What is the Immune System?

Overview
127.3K
Humoral Immune Responses01:36

Humoral Immune Responses

Overview
83.5K
Role of Septins01:02

Role of Septins

Septins are the recently discovered fourth major protein component of the cytoskeleton, along with microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. These proteins can associate with other cytoskeletal filaments and carry out varied roles or can be free-floating in the cytoplasm.
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...
2.1K
The Role of Culture01:23

The Role of Culture

Culture plays a crucial role in shaping self-identity and influencing thought and behavior, a foundational interest within social psychology. The multicultural perspective recognizes that individuals do not exist in a vacuum; instead, their experiences, perceptions, and actions are deeply influenced by the intersecting dimensions of their cultural, ethnic, and social group affiliations.Cultural Influence on Self-Identity and Social PerceptionCultural frameworks inform how individuals define...
371