Computed Tomography scan may be diagnostic of thymoma. The tumor is generally located inside the thymus, and can be calcified. Increased vascular enhancement can be indicative of malignancy, as can be pleural deposits.
CT Scan
When athymom a is suspected, a CT/CAT scan is generally performed to estimate the size of the tumor.
Key CT scan findings in thymoma include
Smooth or lobulated border that is partially or completely outlined by fat.
Homogeneous soft tissue mass.
Fibrosis, cysts, hemorrhage or necrosis may be seen as decreased attenuation.
CT scan of the chest revealing a large necrotic mass in the left anterior mediastinum (later proven to be a thymoma) and bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy.
CT shows Thymoma (Image courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted).
A 43-year-old female with myasthenia gravis. Chest CT demonstrate a small soft tissue mass at the anterior mediastinum, pathologically proven thymoma, axial.
A 43-year-old female with myasthenia gravis. Chest CT demonstrate a small soft tissue mass at the anterior mediastinum, pathologically proven thymoma, coronal.
