The thymic mass as a mediastinal dilemma

Five patients with normal thymus glands whose radiographs were mimicking mediastinal masses are presented; one in an infant with a compressed right upper lobe bronchus and two in adolescents with normal large lobes of the thymus. There were also two patients with regrowth of the thymus, one after severe infection and one after irradiation for secondary malignancies. We discuss the use of various techniques utilised to confirm the diagnosis and avert surgical procedures.