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. 2019:65:229-232.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2019.10.069. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

A case of thymoma in myasthenia gravis: Successful outcome after thymectomy

S Dahal  1 , N Bhandari  2 , P Dhakal  2 , R M Karmacharya  2 , A K Singh  2 , S M Tuladhar  2 , M Devbhandari  2
Affiliations

A case of thymoma in myasthenia gravis: Successful outcome after thymectomy

S Dahal et al. Int J Surg Case Rep. 2019.

Abstract

Introduction: Thymic abnormalities occur as hyperplasia and thymoma. Myasthenia gravis is commonly present in thymoma. Thymectomy possesses risk due to anatomical proximity with vital thoracic structures and myasthenia crisis.

Presentation of case: Forty five years female with complaints of difficulty swallowing and weakness of upper limb muscles upon investigation showed mass in mediastinum and antibody test for myasthenia gravis positive. Medical management was done for a month followed by thymectomy. There were no intra and postoperative complications. Medical management was stopped one month after surgery and she is symptom free.

Discussion: Thymectomy is the standard of care where median sternotomy is the mainstay approach to surgery. Various other surgical approaches and complications revolving around surgery has been discussed.

Conclusion: Surgical removal of thymoma cured myasthenia gravis in our case. We focused on proper preoperative optimization of myasthenia gravis symptoms before thymectomy.

Keywords: Case report; Myasthenia gravis; Nepal; Thymectomy; Thymoma.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chest X-ray showing mass in superior mediastinum.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
CT showing anterior mediastinal mass.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Intraoperative picture showing thymoma being separated from left pleura.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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