Multilocular thymic cyst associated with follicular hyperplasia: clinicopathologic study of 4 resected cases

Hum Pathol. 2005 Jul;36(7):841-4. doi: 10.1016/j.humpath.2005.05.004.

Abstract

We report here 4 cases of multilocular thymic cysts (MTCs) with reactive lymphoid follicular hyperplasia. They were admitted to our hospital to examine anterior mediastinal masses demonstrated on chest computed tomographic scans. Three patients presented high-grade intermittent fever, and 2 patients were associated with Sjogren syndrome with elevated serum antinuclear antibody levels. All patients were subjected to extended thymectomy. Interestingly, their fever disappeared immediately after surgery. Histologically, the lesions were characterized by several cystic spaces separated by various thick walls with dense lymphoid tissue containing large reactive germinal centers. The inner cyst walls were lined by flattened cuboidal epithelia in some portions. Columnar epithelia with focal cilia were partially observed in 2 cases. These pathological findings led to a diagnosis of MTCs that were thought to result from cystic transformation of medullary duct derivatives by acquired inflammatory processes. The pathological findings, together with clinical courses of our cases, suggest that inflammation accompanied by autoimmune diseases may play, in part, an important role in the development of MTCs.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Cyst / complications
  • Mediastinal Cyst / pathology*
  • Mediastinal Cyst / surgery
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / complications
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / pathology
  • Thymus Gland / pathology*
  • Thymus Gland / surgery
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / complications
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / pathology*
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome