An unusual case of thymolipoma as an anterior mediastinal mass in a 17-year-old girl—case report

Thymolipomas are rare benign tumors composed of mature adipose tissue and benign thymic tissue and one of the differential diagnoses of an anterior mediastinal mass. These tumors may run an indolent, asymptomatic course, often achieving massive dimensions before presentation. We report a 17-year-old girl who presented with progressive dyspnea with nonproductive cough since 2 months’ duration. Clinical examination was unremarkable. Computed tomography of chest revealed a large lobulated anterior mediastinal mass protruding into the right hemithorax and to the diaphragm. A CT guided needle biopsy gave the diagnosis of thymolipoma. The tumor was successfully removed en bloc through a median sternotomy. Histopathological examination confirmed thymolipoma.