Table 2. Relationship between CT findings and WHO histologic subtypes.
| Variable | A (n = 11) | AB (n = 47) | B1(n = 38) | B2(n = 43) | B3(n = 21) | Thymic Carcinoma (n = 56) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | |||||||
| Maximum diameter - no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| <4 | 4(36) | 15(32) | 20(53) | 24(56) | 8(38) | 11(20) | |
| 4–8 | 6(55) | 18(38) | 15(40) | 15(35) | 8(38) | 19(34) | |
| >8 | 1(9) | 14(30) | 3(8) | 4(9) | 5(24) | 26(46) | |
| Mean diameter(mean ± sd; cm) | 3.97 ± 2.37 | 5.52 ± 2.47 | 4.36 ± 1.78 | 3.95 ± 1.73 | 5.27 ± 2.68 | 6.00 ± 2.31 | 0.000* |
| Shape- no.(%) | 0.206 | ||||||
| Round | 6(55) | 20(42) | 14(37) | 16(37) | 9(43) | 22(39) | |
| Oval | 5(45) | 23(49) | 16(42) | 18(42) | 5(24) | 18(32) | |
| Irregular | — | 4(9) | 8(21) | 9(21) | 7(33) | 16(29) | |
| Boundary- no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| Smooth | 8(73) | 12(25) | 9(24) | — | — | — | |
| Lobulated | 3(27) | 30(64) | 19(50) | 29(67) | 4(19) | 8(14) | |
| Irregular | — | 5(11) | 10(26) | 14(33) | 17(81) | 48(86) | |
| Capsule integrity - no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| Almost complete | 11(100) | 31(66) | 13(34) | 8(19) | — | 1(2) | |
| Partial | — | 16(34) | 25(66) | 35(81) | 21(100) | 55(98) | |
| Homogeneity- no.(%) | 0.002 | ||||||
| Homogeneous | 9(82) | 24(51) | 15(40) | 23(53) | 7(33) | 14(25) | |
| Heterogeneous | 2(18) | 23(49) | 23(61) | 20(47) | 14(67) | 42(75) | |
| Septum - no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| Yes | 2(18) | 36(77) | 5(13) | 2(5) | 1(5) | — | |
| No | 9(82) | 11(23) | 33(87) | 41(95) | 20(95) | 56(100) | |
| Calcification - no.(%) | 0.474 | ||||||
| Yes | 1(9) | 12(26) | 13(34) | 11(26) | 8(38) | 19(34) | |
| No | 10(91) | 35(74) | 25(66) | 32(74) | 13(62) | 37(66) | |
| Necrotic or cystic change - no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| Yes | 1(9) | 14(30) | 16(42) | 15(35) | 10(48) | 39(70) | |
| No | 10(91) | 33(70) | 22(58) | 28(65) | 11(52) | 17(30) | |
| Pericardiac or Pleural effusion - no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| Yes | — | 1(2) | 4(11) | 12(28) | 12(57) | 49(88) | |
| No | 11(100) | 46(98) | 34(89) | 31(72) | 9(43) | 7(12) | |
| Lymphadenopathy - no.(%) | 0.000† | ||||||
| Yes | — | — | — | 2(5) | 1(5) | 21(37) | |
| No | 11(100) | 47(100) | 38(100) | 41(95) | 20(95) | 35(63) | |
| Involvement of adjacent tissues - no.(%) | 0.000 | ||||||
| Yes | — | — | 6(16) | 15(35) | 19(90) | 55(98) | |
| No | 11(100) | 47(100) | 32(84) | 28(65) | 2(10) | 1(2) | |
| Grade of aggressive risk by CT - no.(%) | |||||||
| Grade I | 11(100) | 31(66) | 13(34) | 8(19) | — | — | |
| Grade II | — | 15(32) | 19(50) | 20(46) | 2(10) | 1(2) | |
| Grade III | — | 1(2) | 2(5) | 4(9) | 7(33) | 7(12) | |
| Grade IV | — | — | 4(11) | 11(26) | 12(57) | 48(86) |
*P-values were calculated by ANOVA;
†P-values were calculated by Monte Carlo Test.