Etymed
thymectomy
Definition
surgical removal of the thymus gland
Clinical context
A 65-year-old man presents with difficulty swallowing and chest pain. Imaging reveals a large mediastinal mass, and biopsy confirms myasthenia gravis. The patient undergoes thymectomy for treatment of his condition. A 22-year-old woman presents with severe muscle weakness and fatigue that worsens throughout the day. She is diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis and undergoes thymectomy as part of her treatment plan.
Mnemonic
Thymectomy = Thymus removal, often done for myasthenia gravis or thymoma