[A case of operated invasive thymoma accompanied with the thrombocytopenia].

ABSTRACT

Thymoma with thrombocytopenia has rarely been reported. We recently encountered a case of operated invasive thymoma with thrombocytopenia. A 74-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of 'shortness of breath' and general fatigue. Chest X-ray, CT and MRI showed a mass 5 x 5 cm in size at the anterior mediastinum. In hematological test, a significant decrease in platelets count (1.6 x 10(4)/mm3) and a increase in PA-IgG (134.5 ng/10 cells) were found. This finding suggests that thrombocytopenia is due to immunological abnormality. Steroid therapy (prednisolone 60 mg) was begun but was not effective and then, extended thymectomy was performed. After operation, prednisolone (30 mg) therapy was continued. Although prednisolone therapy was gradually decreased and stopped, platelets count was gradually increased 10.8 x 10(4)/mm3. Extended thymectomy and steroid therapy were effective.