Thymic Epithelial Tumors Classified According to a Newly Established WHO Scheme: CT and MR Findings.
- Author:
Joungho HAN
1
;
Kyung Soo LEE
;
Chin A YI
;
Tae Sung KIM
;
Young Mog SHIM
;
Jhingook KIM
;
Kwhanmien KIM
;
O Jung KWON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Thymus; Thymus, CT; Thymus, MR; Thymus, neoplasms
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology 2003;4(1):46-53
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Thymic epithelial tumor is a distinctive pathologic entity exhibiting variable histologic features and heterogeneous oncologic behavior. Among the various classification systems, that of the World Health Organization has been adopted because of good correlation between histologic appearance and oncologic behavior. Radiologically, a smooth contour and round shape are most suggestive of a type-A tumor, whereas an irregular contour most strongly suggests type C. Pleural seeding is rare in type-A and AB tumors; calcification is suggestive of type B. Type-C tumors are significantly larger and more commonly associated with lymphadenopathy than type B3. At T2-weighted MR imaging, lobular internal architecture is more prominent in types B1, B2, and B3 tumors than in others. However, imaging findings among the various types overlap to some extent, and the ability of imaging studies to differentiate types AB, B1, B2, and B3 is limited.
