Hypertrophy of the thmus diagnosed intraoperatively ; chest roentgenogram had suggested atelectasis of the right upper lobe

Abstract

A 14-month-old male infant was admitted to Tenri Hospital for evaluation of an abnormal shadow on his chest roentgenogram suggesting atelectasis of the right upper lobe. Bronchoscopy revealed no obstruction such as that caused by a bronchial foreign body or a tumor. The patient developed bacterial meningitis. Atelectasis of the right upper lobe was suspected to be the origin of the organism, so surgery was performed. At operation, the abnormal shadow was found to be due not to atelectasis but to enlargement of the thymus.