Publication
Title
Imaging and staging of thymic tumors
Author
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ located in the upper prevascular mediastinum. A number of masses arise in relation to the thymus. Accurate knowledge of anatomy and imaging features is essential for the differentiation between non-tumoral thymic pathology and malignant thymic tumors. In general, a benign hyperplasia of the thymus occurs in children and young adults, while in adults thymoma is the most common tumor. Furthermore imaging is of great importance in the preoperative staging and (oncological) follow-up. Computed tomography (CT) is the imaging modality of choice to assess the mediastinal structures, including the thymus. Medical imaging is essential to further characterize those lesions that warrant further workup. Surgery is the gold standard for the treatment of thymoma with the aim of complete resection. We provide an overview of thymic masses with typically imaging features: thymic hyperplasia, thymic cyst, thymolipoma, thymoma, thymic carcinoma, and thymic carcinoid. Lymphoma will be discussed in Chapter 15: Imaging of Non-thymic Mediastinal Tumors.
Language
English
Source (book)
Diagnostic imaging for thoracic surgery : a manual for surgeons and radiologists / Anzidei, Michele [edit.]; et al. [edit.]
Publication
Cham : Springer , 2018
ISBN
978-3-319-89892-6
978-3-030-07888-1
978-3-319-89893-3
DOI
10.1007/978-3-319-89893-3_13
Volume/pages
p. 223-234
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Record
Identifier
Creation 23.06.2021
Last edited 04.03.2024
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