[Thymoma associated with progressive systemic sclerosis--a case report]

A 59-year-old man was admitted to hospital with sclerodactyly and high grade fever. He complained of wrist joint pain and swelling of bilateral hands. Despite of administration of non steroid anti-inflammatory drug and steroid the symptoms were progressive and sclerodactyly spreaded to the forearm. Through the results of the laboratory examination, he was diagnosed as progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Chest CT scan showed an anterior mediastinal tumor, and histological examination revealed a spindle cell type thymoma with mild lymphocytic infiltration. During hospitalization, the pulse therapy of steroid was administrated. Progressive sclerodactyly and interstitial pneumonia were improved, but stiffness of hand and joint pain was not diminished. In expectation of improvement of the symptoms, mediastinal tumor was removed. Histological diagnosis was thymoma of epitherial type. After surgery, symptoms decreased and at last diminished, dosage of steroid could be tapered.