Thymus gland abscess seen in congenital syphilis is called as: (A) Fouchier’s abscess, (B) Politzeri abscess, (C) Douglas abscess, (D) Dubois' abscess
Answer is D. Abscesses of the thymus gland were first described by Dubois in 1850 as a product of congenital syphilis. Chiari believed that the Dubois abscess was a cyst formed by the thymus tissue invading Hassall's corpuscles, the result of pronounced syphilitic changes.
Key Concept:
An abscess of the thymus (also known as "Dubois' abscess") is a condition that is one of many possible causes of cysts in the mediastinum. It can present with chest pain behind the sternum. It can be associated with congenital syphilis.