Timolipoma simulando cardiomegalia

Abstract

Thymolipoma is a rare benign tumor of the thymus. Because of its large size and pliability the mass usually drapes itself around the heart, conforming to its borders and producing a large radiographic shadow easily mistaken as cardiomegaly. This report describes a 48-year-old man with a chest radiograph strongly suggestive of cardiomegaly. Careful radiological study showed the existence of a large mass in the anterior mediastinum, simulating cardiomegaly. A thymolipoma weighing 2500g was resected through an esternotomy.

Keywords

• Cardiomegaly
• Thymolipoma
• Mediastinal mass