Thymic hyperplasia presenting as anterior mediastinal mass in 2 patients with Graves disease.
Graves disease is an autoimmune thyroid condition characterized by the production of autoantibodies against the thyrotropin receptor. The autoantibodies mimic the effect of the hormone on thyroid cells, which stimulates autonomous production of thyroxine and triiodothyronine. It has been hypothesized that cross-reactivity of autoantibodies may result in Graves ophthalmopathy and dermopathy. A seldom-recognized feature of Graves disease is thymic hyperplasia. We report 2 patients with Graves disease and incidentally discovered anterior mediastinal masses presumed to be thymic hyperplasia. In both cases, these masses regressed spontaneously after treatment of hyperthyroidism.
Budavari
Adriane I
AI
Division of Community Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
Whitaker
Michael D
MD
Helmers
Richard A
RA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000209:etiology; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D011441:Propylthiouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects; D013952:Thymus Hyperplasia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D011441:Propylthiouracil