Thymic Cyst Manifesting as Subpulmonic Fluid

\s=b\A 13-year-old girl was hospitalized for further investigation of abdominal pain and pain on the left side of the chest. Laparoscopy and subsequent laparotomy findings were negative. Chest roentgenograms disclosed subpulmonic fluid, the examination of which exposed a sterile mononuclear exudate. Because of these findings and a positive first-strength PPD tuberculin skin test result, the patient received antituberculosis and steroid therapy for six months with no effect. Exploratory thoracotomy revealed a thymic cyst situated in the left subpulmonic area. Thus another possible origin of subpulmonic effusions should be considered. (Arch Intern Med 1983;143:602-603) 13-year-old girl was hospitalized for further investiga" tion of subpulmonic effusion on the left side. Seven months prior to admission she had received antituber¬ culosis and steroid therapy in another hospital, but the fluid continued to accumulate despite this treatment. An explor¬ atory thoracotomy was performed for further investiga¬ tion, and a thymic cyst was excised. We report what we believe is the first case of thymic cyst appearing as a subpulmonic opacity.