Ectopic Cervical Thymus: An Uncommon Diagnosis in the Evaluation of Pediatric Neck Masses

Ectopic cervical thymic tissue is an uncommon cause of neck masses in children, with fewer than 100 cases reported in children who presented with primary neck masses. To illustrate the unique characteristics of these tumors, we report the case of a 13-month-old boy with ectopic thymic tissue present...

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Published inArchives of otolaryngology, head & neck surgery Vol. 128; no. 6; pp. 714 - 717
Main Authors Scott, Kirby J, Schroeder, Ashley A, Greinwald, Jr, John H
Format Journal Article Conference Proceeding
LanguageEnglish
Published Chicago, IL American Medical Association 01.06.2002
Subjects
Biological and medical sciences
Choristoma - diagnosis
Choristoma - surgery
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Infant
Lymphatic Diseases - diagnosis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Mediastinal Diseases - diagnosis
Mediastinal Diseases - surgery
Medical sciences
Neck
Otorhinolaryngology (head neck, general aspects and miscellaneous)
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
Thymus Gland
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tumors
Sonography
Human
Surgical biopsy
Thymus gland
Radiodiagnosis
Excision
Bilateral
Male
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
Case study
Pathology
Treatment
Surgery
Echography
Medical imagery
Tumor
Computerized axial tomography
Neck
Diagnosis
Ectopia
Child
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Summary:Ectopic cervical thymic tissue is an uncommon cause of neck masses in children, with fewer than 100 cases reported in children who presented with primary neck masses. To illustrate the unique characteristics of these tumors, we report the case of a 13-month-old boy with ectopic thymic tissue presenting with asymptomatic, bilateral, and solid cervical masses. This case report highlights several unique findings: (1) the rare nature of solid thymic tumors compared with cystic lesions, (2) the utility of magnetic resonance imaging scanning with and without fat suppression for diagnosis, and (3) the risks of surgical removal of thymic tissue in children. Despite its infrequent occurrence and often asymptomatic presentation, ectopic cervical thymus masses should be included as a rare cause of cervical masses in the pediatric population. Awareness of this diagnosis will allow for appropriate preoperative diagnostic studies, which may preclude the need for biopsy.Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2002;128:714-717-->
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ISSN:0886-4470
1538-361X
DOI:10.1001/archotol.128.6.714