Open AccessClinicopathological Characteristics of Thymic Tuberculosis- A Rare Entity
Author(s) -
Keerthi Ramachandran Pillai,
Meenu Prakash,
Muktha R Pai
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2016/20734.8573
Subject(s) - langhans giant cell , tuberculosis , giant cell , pathology , medicine , thoracotomy , mediastinal lymphadenopathy , parenchyma , epithelioid cell , mediastinal mass , mediastinum , radiology , anatomy , biopsy , immunohistochemistry
Tuberculosis is a severely debilitating disease and it rarely presents with involvement of the thymus. Only fifteen cases have been reported worldwide. We report a case of thymic tuberculosis in a 12-year-old female presenting with cervical lymphadenopathy. Computed tomographic imaging revealed a mediastinal mass which was then excised via thoracotomy. The gross appearance of the cut surface of both lobes was variegated with white, granular caseating material. Microscopy revealed multiple, caseating, epithelioid granulomas with dispersed Langhans giant cells surrounded by thymic parenchyma with Hassals corpuscles. The patient was treated with anti-tubercular drugs and her condition improved. On follow up, the patient is healthy and has gained weight.