title: Ectopic cystic thymoma associated with Raynaud's phenomenon.
abstract: Mediastinal cystic tumors are well-marginated round lesions that comprise 12% to 18% of all mediastinal masses. These lesions include a variety of diseases with overlapping radiologic appearances and variable prognoses. Pathological examinations are almost always required for differential diagnosis. We encountered a case of anterior mediastinal tumor discovered in the process of investigation of Raynaud's phenomenon. Taking into account the tumor location, a pericardial cyst was initially suspected. However, the tumor was surgically resected and histopathological examinations demonstrated thymus-like tissue in the cyst walls. Raynaud's phenomenon greatly improved after surgery. These findings suggested that cystic thymoma originated from ectopic thymic tissue and is accompanied by paraneoplastic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nomura
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawasaki
authors.forename: Takuji
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azuma
authors.forename: Hiroaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsubara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000150:complications*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed