Thymoma. The diagnostic features include parathymic syndromes such as myasthenia gravis (30%-50% of thymoma cases7,8) and pure red cell aplasia (5% of thymoma cases9).
“Terrible” lymphoma. The most effective way to differentiate an anterior mediastinal mass due to lymphadenopathy (secondary to lymphoma) is to perform a tissue sample biopsy.
Also consider, as part of the differential for anterior mediastinal masses, such things as mesenchymal tumors, Morgagni hernia (anterior diaphragmatic defect), and pericardial cysts (fluid attenuating and usually located at the right cardiophrenic angle).
Surgical resection is effective
The treatment for anterior mediastinal teratoma is surgical resection.10 A complete surgical resection is typically curative and provides adequate therapy for symptom resolution.
The standard surgical approach involves gaining access to the anterior mediastinum via a median sternotomy. When there is extensive tumor involvement of the hemithorax, clamshell thoracotomy is preferred, requiring incisions in both the left and right hemithoraxes.11
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