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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000; 48(2): 109-111
DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-9938
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Small Thymomas and Myasthenia Gravis: a Poorly Understood Association

S. Christiansen1 , A. Marx3 , R. Kiefer2 , H. H. Scheld1 , M. Semik1
  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery,
  • 2Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
  • 3Department of Pathology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2000 (online)

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Myasthenia gravis (MG) is associated with about 20 % of all patients with thymomas, but the occurrence in patients with small thymomas is rare. The pathogenetic relevante of these small thymomas for MG is poorly understood until now. We report an the clinical course of a 39-year-old female patient suffering from MG and undergoing thymectomy for a small thymoma and discuss the pathogenetic importance of small thymomas for MG.

Key words:

Myasthenia gravis - Small thymoma - Thymectomy - Pathogenesis

References

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Received for Publication: January 18, 1999

Dr. med. S. Christiansen

Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery Universität Münster

Albert-Schweitzer-Straße 33

48149 Münster

Germany

Phone: +49-251/834-8316