THYMIC PATTERNS IN THE NEWBORN

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Montefiore-Morrisania Affiliation, New York, New York.

A series of 1,020 consecutive newborns was examined by means of frontal chest roentgenograms. Particular attention was directed to the patterns of thymic prominence. In about one-half of the cases, there was no prominence of the thymus on either side. In the remaining half, prominence of the thymus involved much more frequently the right lobe than the left. The various grades of thymic prominence on both sides are illustrated. The differential diagnosis of thymic prominence is discussed.

Incidental findings in the lung and cardiovascular system, including the frequency of visualization of the horizontal fissure, the presence of skin lines simulating a pneumothorax and other normal variants, are briefly described. No skeletal abnormalities were noted in this series.

The reported study shows that wide variations exist in the normal appearance of the newborn thorax. These should be taken into consideration by the interpreting radiologist.

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