Erythroid aplasia following thymomectomy. Report of a case with a positive lupus erythematosus cell preparation and elevated plasma erythropoietin level.

Abstract

ABSTRACT THYMIC TUMORS have been reported(1-5) in association with a number of interesting and exotic diseases (Table). The patient to be presented had increased red blood cell (RBC) production before removal of a large, benign thymoma. Five months later, when a diagnosis of erythroid aplasia was established, the plasma level of erythropoietin was increased.Report of a Case A 53-year-old housewife was referred for evaluation of her condition after a chest tumor was seen on a mobile unit roentgenogram of the chest in July 1963. She had no complaints. A month earlier, slight anemia had been noted when she saw her physician for a "cold." Mild aching of the hands and wrists had occurred intermittently for the previous six years. She had been jaundiced for six weeks in 1930. No history of exposure to known toxic substances could be elicited. Her mother died of "Bright's disease" at age 28.Findings