[A case of thymolipoma in a child (author's transl)]

A new case of asymptomatic thymolipoma in a 4.5 years old girl is reported. It was discovered during systematic medical investigation. Its radiological characteristics and the lack of evolutivity made the authors suspect the diagnosis before operating. A total surgical extraction of the 300 g weighing tumor was performed through a right thoracotomy. No complication occurred in the post-operative time. Others authors already indicated the scarcity of this affection (less than 10 cases in children) as well as the special radiological characteristics of this tumor and the noticeable clinical tolerance often despite a large bulk. Histologically the tumor is made of an infiltrating of the normal thymic tissue by proliferating adipose adulte cells, the benignity of which is demonstrated by the evolution. In this study a differential diagnosis between thymolipoma and other mediastinal tumors is made and also some pathogenic assessments. Surgery always is required for treatment.