Thymoma: clinical and additional radiologic signs.

T hymoma is a tumor in which detection is a challenge to both the internist and radiologist. Because of its location in the anterior part of the mediastinum, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish radiologically from an aortic aneurysm,14 a prominent left pulmonary artery,13 an enlarged right atrium,”3 enlarged hilar lymph glands, or a pericardial effusion.4 We have lately observed apparently characteristic features distinguishing thymoma on the plain chest x-ray film and on fluoroscopy, atthough these are not present in every case. It is the purpose of this report to describe these features as additional radiologic signs which may be helpful in the diagnosis of thymoma, as well as to give a short review of some interesting clinical features of patients with thymoma.