[Diagnosis of thymoma and CAT assisted transthoracic biopsy (author's transl)]

Thymomas have an uncharacteristic symptomatology. Their spectrum is greatly enlarged by facultative parathymic syndromes. Despite repeated radiographic investigations thymomas can only be diagnosed with certainty by histological investigation of biopsy material. Method, indications and contraindications of transthoracic biopsy of the anterior mediastinum are demonstrated in 3 cases. This relatively simple method permits diagnosis even in inoperable patients, in whom mediastinoscopy and probatory thoracotomy are contraindicated.