Romal Chowdhury1, Syed Nesar Ahmed1, ASM Fateh Akram2, AHM Raihanuzzaman Sarkar2,Bashir Ahmed3

Abstract
Tumors of the anterior mediastinum include several entities with different radiological and clinical
manifestations, constituting a heterogeneous group of congenital, inflammatory, and neoplastic conditions.
Among these lesions, the most common primary tumor of the mediastinum is thymoma, nearly followed
by germ cell tumors and lymphomas. Tuberculosis of the thymus, an extremely rare condition, typically
involves the mediastinal lymph nodes. In our case, a 35-year old lady presented with thoracic pain, dyspnea
upon minimal effort, and progressive worsening of the symptoms in one month. The chest X-ray showed
widening of mediastinum and computed tomography scans indicated that it was located anteriorly. The
patient was submitted to surgery in order to excise the mass. Microscopy revealed a massive inflammatory
response and granuloma in the thymic tissue on the background of caseous necrosis and a diagnosis of
tuberculosis was made. Surgeons and pathologists should remain alert for this condition and should
include it in the differential diagnosis of mediastinal masses.
Key Words: Anterior mediastinal mass, Thymic tuberculosis.
Abbreviation: TB: Tuberculosis.

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