[pelztier86]

Hey

i don't have MG, but I have a rare and severe digestive disease and immunological problems. One year ago, a missvely enlarged thymic gland was detected by routine chest MRI. Since the radiologists could not figure out whether or not the thymic mass was a thymoma. i fnally had surgery with a median sternotomy in April 2012. One month ago some of t he symptoms which I had had prior to surgery and had subsided afterwards were back. i now have again a feeling of intense pressure on my chest and more strainful breathing. BTW: the thymic mass proved to be thymic B cell hyperplasia, but the gland had grown so large that breathing was impaired.
My question: has someone here experienced thymic regrowth after thymectomy?
Thanks

Sarah

[Brennan068]

Hi Sarah,

I've not experienced thymic regrowth (I had full sternal split thymectomy). However, my understanding is that if the surgeon does not get all of it there is a high incidence of recurrence of problems in any tissue that is left behind.

I hope all works out well for you.

Brian

[pelztier86]

Thanks Brennan. Actually, I also had a full sternum split (Median sternotomy) so the risk should have been minimized to miss some thymic tissue. But i also read about ectopic thymic tissue around the thyroid gland which seems to Be the rationale for Extended thymectomies.