Thymic epithelial tumors classified according to a newly established WHO scheme: CT and MR findings.
Thymic epithelial tumor is a distinctive pathologic entity exhibiting variable histologic features and heterogeneous oncologic behavior. Among the various classification systems, that of the World Health Organization has been adopted because of good correlation between histologic appearance and oncologic behavior. Radiologically, a smooth contour and round shape are most suggestive of a type-A tumor, whereas an irregular contour most strongly suggests type C. Pleural seeding is rare in type-A and AB tumors; calcification is suggestive of type B. Type-C tumors are significantly larger and more commonly associated with lymphadenopathy than type B3. At T2-weighted MR imaging, lobular internal architecture is more prominent in types B1, B2, and B3 tumors than in others. However, imaging findings among the various types overlap to some extent, and the ability of imaging studies to differentiate types AB, B1, B2, and B3 is limited.
Han
Joungho
J
Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Kyung Soo
KS
Yi
Chin A
CA
Kim
Tae Sung
TS
Shim
Young Mog
YM
Kim
Jhingook
J
Kim
Kwhanmien
K
Kwon
O Jung
OJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013945:Thymoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000473:pathology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014944:World Health Organization