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Ultrasonography of thymoma with pathologic correlation
1Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan.
Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Ultrasonography can help identify thymoma characteristics. Preoperative ultrasound images accurately reflected cystic changes and the lobulated appearance of malignant thymomas, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Thymomas are neoplasms of the thymus gland.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis of thymoma is crucial for treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between preoperative ultrasonograms and pathologic findings in thymomas.
- To determine the effectiveness of ultrasound in characterizing thymoma features.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of preoperative ultrasonograms from 11 thymoma patients with their corresponding pathologic findings.
- Ex vivo ultrasonograms of 3 resected thymoma specimens were also analyzed.
- Correlation of ultrasonographic features (solid, cystic, lacy appearance) with histopathologic results.
Main Results:
- Ultrasonography revealed 7 solid, 3 mixed solid-cystic, and 1 cystic thymoma.
- Cystic regions on ultrasound corresponded to pathologic cystic changes.
- Malignant thymomas exhibited a characteristic 'lacy' appearance on ultrasound, matching lobulated configurations with fibrous septa seen pathologically.
Conclusions:
- Preoperative ultrasonography is a valuable tool for assessing thymoma morphology.
- Ultrasound findings, including cystic changes and the 'lacy' pattern in malignant thymomas, correlate well with pathologic features.
- This correlation can aid in the preoperative diagnosis and characterization of thymomas.