Rebound thymic hyperplasia following high dose chemotherapy and allogeneic BMT

Bone Marrow Transplant. 1993 Jan;11(1):67-70.

Abstract

We describe a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who showed mediastinal widening 8 months after allogeneic BMT. Total thymectomy was carried out by the transcervical approach. Histologic examination showed only thymic hyperplasia. The immunohistologic investigation revealed a normal distribution of thymic cell elements, without evidence of clonal proliferation of lymphocytic subpopulations. This case supports the hypothesis that thymic hyperplasia following chemotherapy may be merely a rebound phenomenon. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and remains in remission more than 1 year after BMT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / surgery
  • Thymectomy
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / diagnosis
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / etiology*
  • Thymus Hyperplasia / surgery

Substances

  • Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
  • Antineoplastic Agents