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Human immunodeficiency virus infection and multilocular thymic cysts
J C Leonidas1, W E Berdon, E Valderrama
1Department of Radiology, Schneider Children's Hospital of Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, NY 11040, USA.
Radiology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Multilocular thymic cysts are a newly identified thymic response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This finding suggests a potentially milder course of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in affected individuals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pathology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Thymic pathology is common in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), often manifesting as direct viral invasion and subsequent gland involution.
- A novel thymic response to HIV infection, termed multilocular thymic cyst, has been identified.
Observation:
- Three HIV-positive patients (two children, one adult) presented with large thymic masses.
- Imaging studies, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, revealed large, septate, low-attenuation areas consistent with multilocular thymic cysts.
- Histopathologic examination confirmed the cystic nature of the lesions in two patients.
Findings:
- All patients with multilocular thymic cysts remained clinically stable.
- Associated findings included parotid gland enlargement and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia.
- Multilocular thymic cysts are likely a manifestation of diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome.
Implications:
- Multilocular thymic cysts may indicate a milder clinical course of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- Recognition of this entity is important for accurate diagnosis and patient management in HIV-infected individuals.
- Further research is warranted to understand the pathogenesis and clinical significance of multilocular thymic cysts in HIV.