Thymoma physical examination
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Amr Marawan, M.D. [2]Ahmad Al Maradni, M.D. [3]
Overview
Patients with thymoma usually appear asymptomatic.
Physical Examination
The physical examination plays a limited role in the diagnosis of thymoma, Physical exam findings maybe but it is very important to check general signs of health and signs of many of the paraneoplastic syndromes and that are present in a considerable percentage of patients, as lumps and anything else that seems unusual. Some patients with different thymic tumors will have fullness in the lower part of the neck which the doctor can feel. Once Thymoma or any other thymic tumor is suspected based on physical examination, further investigations as x-ray, CT and other lab tests should be done.
Physical Examination of Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is associated with 15% of patients with thymoma. Muscle fatigability can be tested for many muscles. A thorough examination demonstrates easy fatigability during following movements:
- Looking upward and sidewards for 30 seconds: ptosis and diplopia.
- Looking at the feet while lying on the back for 60 seconds
- Keeping the arms stretched forward for 60 seconds
- 10 deep knee bends
- Walking 30 steps on both the toes and the heels
- 5 situps, lying down and sitting up completely