Thymoma Exhibiting Spontaneous Regression With Cystic Change Due to Acute Infarction: A Case Report and Literature Review

Spontaneous regression (SR) of thymoma is rare. We report a case of a surgically resected thymoma due to cystic changes owing to acute ischemic infarction with an increased anti -acetylcholine receptor antibody level. A 61 -year -old male underwent a computed tomography (CT) scan, which showed a 4.9 cm anterior mediastinal tumor and slight right pleural effusion. Blood test results indicated an elevated white blood cell count of 13300/mL. One month later, an enhanced CT scan at our hospital showed spontaneous mediastinal tumor regression to 3.7 cm and no pleural effusion. The tumor contained homogeneous low -density areas on enhanced CT, which showed high intensity on T2 -weighted magnetic resonance imaging, indicating cystic changes. He had no symptoms of myasthenia; however, his anti -acetylcholine receptor antibody level was slightly elevated (0.4 nmol/L). Suspecting a thymoma, an extended total thymectomy through a median sternotomy was performed. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of thymoma type B2 and Masaoka stage I. SR is due to acute intratumoral infarction. At two years postoperatively, no tumor recurrence or development of myasthenia gravis was observed. Thymomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of anterior mediastinal tumors that regress spontaneously with cystic changes, pleural effusion, and an elevated inflammatory response. Mature cystic teratoma rupture should be differentiated, but preoperative biopsy is often challenging owing to necrotic and fibrous tissues; therefore, early surgical resection is required for diagnosis and treatment.