Thymoma

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High Yield Notes

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Flashcards

Thymoma

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Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

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A 38-year-old man comes to his primary care physician for evaluation of intermittent muscle weakness that began around three months ago. He reports having episodes of “seeing-double” and having difficulty chewing that occur in the evening and resolve the next morning. Past medical history is notable for asthma, for which he intermittently uses an albuterol inhaler. His temperature is 37.6°C (99.7°F), pulse is 65/min and blood pressure is 122/71 mmHg. During the physical examination, the patient is asked to look upwards toward the ceiling for 60 seconds. This maneuver elicits bilateral diplopia. The remainder of the examination is noncontributory. Workup is sent to confirm the diagnosis, and the patient is started on the first-line medication for his condition. Which of the following is a likely side-effect from overdose of this medication?

Memory Anchors and Partner Content

External References

First Aid

2024

2023

2022

2021

Myasthenia gravis p. 480

thymoma association p. 96

Thymomas

myasthenia gravis and p. 219, 479

paraneoplastic syndromes p. 219

Summary

Thymoma is a rare type of tumor that arises from the epithelial cells of the thymus gland that is located in the chest behind the breastbone. Thymomas may not cause any symptoms in the early stages of the disease, but as they grow and compress the nearby structures, causing symptoms like superior vena cava syndrome, dysphagia, cough, or chest pain.

Thymomas are frequently associated with the neuromuscular disorder myasthenia gravis or autoimmune conditions like pure red cell aplasia and Good syndrome. Diagnosis of thymoma involves imaging studies such as CT or MRI scans. A biopsy may also be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment options may include surgery to remove the tumor, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these approaches.

Elsevier

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