Video‐Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection of a Noninvasive Thymoma in a Cat with Myasthenia Gravis Using Low‐Pressure Carbon Dioxide Insufflation

Abstract

Low-pressure thoracic insufflation facilitated video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of cranial mediastinal masses in this cat.

CT imaging features of canine thymomas

“…Common clinical presenting signs may include vomiting, regurgitation, anorexia, cough, dyspnea, tachypnea, and lethargy . Thymomas are commonly associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, including myasthenia gravis, cranial vena cava syndrome, and hypercalcemia of malignancy …”

“…Thymomas have been described radiographically as a soft‐tissue opacity in the ventral cranial mediastinum that may cause displacement of the heart and trachea . Megaesophagus and an alveolar infiltrate in the lung parenchyma due to aspiration pneumonia can be associated with thymomas . One study evaluating the ultrasonographic appearance of thymomas reported that thymomas are more likely to have a heterogeneous echogenicity and one or more internal cysts when compared to lymphoma, which is more uniform in echogenicity .…”

“…Computed tomography imaging has been used to evaluate thymomas with imaging findings of a heterogeneously contrast‐enhancing, soft‐tissue attenuating, cranial mediastinal mass with or without central cystic cavitation . Adjunct findings may include lymphadenopathy, displacement or invasion of surrounding vessels, and in rare cases presence of pleural effusion or metastasis …”

“…4,5,[7][8][9][10] Thymomas are commonly associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, including myasthenia gravis, cranial vena cava syndrome, and hypercalcemia of malignancy. 4,5,[10][11][12][13] EQUATOR network checklist used: STROBE.…”

“…5,14 Megaesophagus and an alveolar infiltrate in the lung parenchyma due to aspiration pneumonia can be associated with thymomas. 1,3,4,12,14,15 One study evaluating the ultrasonographic appearance of thymomas reported that thymomas are more likely to have a heterogeneous echogenicity and one or more internal cysts when compared to lymphoma, which is more uniform in echogenicity. 3 Recently, contrast-enhanced ultrasound of thymomas showed different enhancement patterns of thymomas compared to lymphoma.…”