Invasive thymomas: diagnosis and evaluation by computed tomography

Ten cases of invasive thymoma examined by computed tomography (CT) and by conventional chest roentgenography are reviewed. In each case, CT showed at least one significant abnormality that was not disclosed by conventional techniques. Computed tomography was especially effective in detecting pleural implants above the diaphragm, pericardial tumor, mediastinal pleural involvement, and invasion of pulmonary parenchyma. Computed tomography assists in the management of patients with invasive thymoma by providing the most reliable assessment of the extent of disease. This information is useful in directing surgical intervention, providing radiotherapy treatment, evaluating treatment response, and monitoring for recurrence of disease.