Myasthenia gravis: clinical and histological features in relation to thymectomy

Abstract

The clinical and thymic histologic features of 23 patients who underwent thymectomy for myasthenia gravis were examined and compared. Postoperative improvement was seen in 82% of patients with a nonneoplastic gland containing numerous germinal centers, whereas 83% of patients with a non neoplastic gland containing no germinal centers deteriorated or died. Glands with only slight involution and containing numerous germinal centers were more commonly seen in young female patients. The evidence relating thymic histologic appearances with the postoperative progress of patients with myasthenia gravis is reviewed.