Thymus tuberculosis poorly responding to anti-mycobacterial therapy in a young girl with primary infection.
Tuberculous infection of the thymus is a rare condition, previously described only in young adults. A case of a young girl with primary pulmonary tuberculosis, hilar and mediastinal lymph node enlargement and a partially necrotic mass in antero-superior mediastinum is described. Treatment with three anti-mycobacterial drugs was started, effective in markedly reducing all the intrathoracic abnormalities with the exception of the antero-superior mediastinal mass. Since the radiographic and ultrasonographic appearance of the thymus tuberculous infection may be indistinguishable from other serious conditions, including lymphoma and thymoma, a diagnostic procedure was performed. Evaluation of the resected specimen showed foci of caseation and multiple granulomas with extensive central necrosis within the thymic tissue.
Sacco
Oliviero
O
G Gaslini, Institute and University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Gambini
Claudio
C
Aicardi
Marco
M
Silvestri
Michela
M
Rossi
Umberto G
UG
Tomà
Paolo
P
Mattioli
Girolamo
G
Jasonni
Vincenzo
V
Rossi
Giovanni A
GA
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D000995:Antitubercular Agents