Diffuse thymic fibrosis: Histologic pattern of injury or distinct entity? Journal Article
| Authors: | Shilo, K.; Mani, H.; Deshpande, C.; Ozbudak, I. H.; Travis, W. D.; Galvin, J. R.; Franks, T. J. |
| Article Title: | Diffuse thymic fibrosis: Histologic pattern of injury or distinct entity? |
| Abstract: | Thymic fibrosis in the absence of another primary thymic lesion, such as a neoplasm or cyst, is unusual. We identified 6 cases of primary extensive thymic fibrosis that developed in 3 men and 3 women, aged 28 to 60 years, mean 48 years. Patients had limited or no symptoms. Two patients had dyspnea and 1 had cough and hemoptysis. One female patient had myasthenia gravis. The lesions measured 3.5 to 17 cm in greatest dimension, mean 8 cm, and were confined to the anterior mediastinum as determined by imaging, intraoperative notes, and/or gross examination. All cases showed diffuse fibrosis with variable collagen deposition, lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates, and involution/atrophy of thymus. One case had rare IgG4-positive plasma cells and focal obliterative phlebitis. The histology showed overlap with that of IgG4-related sclerosing disease, which to our knowledge has not been documented earlier in this location. Although the etiology of the lesions is undetermined, altered immunity and/or infection may play a role. Copyright © 2010 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. |
| Keywords: | adult; middle aged; metabolism; pathology; fibrosis; thymus; thymus gland; collagen; myasthenia gravis; injury; lymphatic system disease; igg4; lymphatic diseases; fibrosing mediastinitis; hyalinizing granuloma; thymic fibrosis |
| Journal Title: | American Journal of Surgical Pathology |
| Volume: | 34 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 0147-5185 |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2010-02-01 |
| Start Page: | 211 |
| End Page: | 215 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1097/PAS.0b013e3181c91301 |
| PUBMED: | 20087160 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Export Date: 20 April 2011" - "CODEN: AJSPD" - "Source: Scopus" |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
Related MSK Work