Myasthenia Gravis Support Group

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating muscle weakness and fatiguability. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Although myasthenia gravis may affect any voluntary muscle, muscles that control eye and eyelid movement, facial expression, and...

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Question about thymus CT

limpnoodle
limpnoodle
I have an appointment next week to get a CT scan of the chest. I have had CT scans of chest before for other things. Should an enlarged thymus have shown up previously, or would they have to be specifically looking at the thymus to see anything?
deleted_user
deleted_user
they might be looking for a tumor, which occurs in about 10% of MG patients...When I was diagnosed with MG they immediately set up an appt for a CT scan...Friday was diagnosed with MG, Monday CT scan, Tuesday told I had a tumor and needed a thymectomy.
CindyC
deleted_user
deleted_user
I have also had CT Scans of the chest before and it was never mentioned about my thymus and soft tissue in that area. So I am pretty sure they have to be looking for it to notice, but I am not postive on that. It seem like it would show up even if they weren't specifically looking at your thymus. When I had my CT to look at my thymus they noted a mass in my left breast which I ended up having to get a mamogram to look at better and then a biopsy.
I don't think I was much help... sorry.
mgadvocate
mgadvocate
All CT Chest scans should show the thymus. The problem is the different qualities of the scans. Different machines and types of test will give the doctor the results the need to study the thymus.

When I had my CT done for my thymus the MD order it done High Resolution, without contrast.

Some MG'ers have had problems with ionic contrast agents. I had a heart cath that they had to use the contrast agent and I did fine. It is one of the drugs that is to be used with caution, so ask your doctor is you are not sure.

If you have your order may have the type of test your doctor has ordered.

Hope the test goes well.

Bruce
Kimber71
Kimber71
From what I have been told the majority of MG patients will have an enlarged Thymus or a Thymoma. I had a no contrast CT and it showed an enlarged Thymus.

Kimber
limpnoodle
limpnoodle
Thank you everyone for your responses and advice.
Linda