title: Preoperative assessment of thymoma: evaluation of mediastinal arterial anatomy by cardiac multidetector computed tomography.
abstract: We describe the clinical case of a thymoma, surgically removed after diagnosis, staging, and preoperative assessment performed by means of cardiac electrocardiogram-gated multidetector computed tomography. This technique allowed a very accurate assessment of the mass, proving superior to conventional computed tomography thanks to the possibility of identifying the relationships of the mass with the mediastinal structures, including the large vessels and coronary arteries. It also established the origin of the arterial vascularization from a tributary branch of the left internal mammary artery, visualizing the pathway and the relationship of the vessel with the mass and the point where it is penetrated. Finally, we analyzed the anatomy and patency of the coronary arteries, essential data in this patient with a high risk of coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiology, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, University of Milan, Milan, Italy. daniele.andreini@ccfm.it
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andreini
authors.forename: Gianluca
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pontone
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dainese
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Formenti
authors.forename: Saima
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mushtaq
authors.forename: Antioco
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cappai
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pepi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ballerini
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Biglioli
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000098:blood supply*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*