Surgery of the Thymus: Pathology, Associated Disorders and Surgical Technique

ISBN-13: 9783642710780 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 345 str.

Michael B. Dusmet

Opis

The thymus gland has always fascinated me and, despite the ever-growing abun dance of medical books, this subject seemed to be a bit of a "poor relation." As a surgeon, the lack of information was particularly frustrating, and this is why I de cided to edit a text covering the different aspects of thymic pathology, surgery, and prognosis. It is always difficult to strike a balance between what is to be included and left out of a book about a subject intended for readers of different specialities. This one was written primarily to provide valuable information to surgeons on most aspects related to thymic surgery and to other specialists who are often confront ed with thymic diseases. Written by leaders in their respective fields, I hope it will provide an excellent reference for those interested in an up-to-date synthesis of general knowledge of such highly specialized areas as immunology, pathology, and neuroscience. The opening chapters on clinical management provide a historical review and descriptions of the normal thymus and surgical pathology. Later chapters review the various diseases related to the surgical pathology of the thymus. Investiga tions, surgical procedures, and other therapeutic modalities are also extensively covered. The book closes with chapters on the postoperative evolution of myas thenia gravis and thymic tumors, as well as on the effect of thymectomy in hu man oncogenesis."

Spis treści

1 Historical Review.- I. Normal Thymus.- 2 Embryology and Congenital Anomalies.- 3 Anatomy.- 4 Histology.- 5 Physiology.- 6 Immunology.- II. Surgical Pathology.- 7 Hyperplasia.- 8 Thymic Cysts.- 9 Epithelial Tumors.- 10 Neuroendocrine, Germ Cell, and Nonepithelial Tumors.- 11 Mediastinal Tumor-like Conditions and Tumors that can Simulate Thymic Neoplasms.- III. Related Diseases.- 12 Myasthenia Gravis.- 13 Pure Red Cell Aplasia.- 14 Immunodeficiency Diseases and Thymoma.- 15 Other Conditions Associated with Thymic Disorders.- IV. Clinical Investigations.- 16 Conventional Radiology.- 17 Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.- 18 Methods for Neurophysiological Investigation.- 19 Dosage of Serum Acetylcholine Receptor Antibodies.- V. Surgical Procedures.- 20 Indications for Thymectomy.- 21 Surgical Approaches.- 22 Technical Aspects of Thymectomy.- 23 Anaesthesia for Thymectomy.- 24 Postoperative Care.- 25 Thymectomy in Childhood.- 26 Thymic Transplantation for Relief of Immunodeficiency.- VI. Other Therapeutic Modalities.- 27 Chemotherapy for Invasive Thymomas.- 28 Radiotherapy of Thymic Tumors.- 29 Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis After Thymectomy.- VII. Post-Thymectomy Evolution.- 30 Value of Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis.- 31 Postoperative Evolution and Prognosis of Thymic Tumors.- 32 Effects of Thymectomy in Human Oncogenesis.