Thymoma with pemphigus foliaceus

Abstract

A 75-year-old Japanese woman was referred to us because of an anterior mediastinal mass. Crusts and shallow erosions developed 10 months earlier on her upper chest, back, and scalp. Pemphigus foliaceus was diagnosed based on histological examination of skin biopsy specimens and positivity for serum anti-desmoglein 1 antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neurological examination and electromyography ruled out myasthenia gravis. Total thymectomy was performed, and the postoperative pathology studies showed mixed lymphoepithelial thymoma. One year after the resection, the eruption and alopecia improved and the serum anti-desmoglein 1 antibody titer decreased, suggesting a beneficial effect of thymectomy on thymoma-related pemphigus.