Aberrant thymus in infants: sonographic evaluation

Abstract

We report five children with aberrant thymus, four of whom presented with an upper suprasternal mass and one with a lateral neck mass. Awareness of this entity, together with knowledge of its variable presentation, is essential for unnecessary surgery to be avoided. US should be the initial diagnostic approach and occasionally leads to the correct diagnosis.

Aberrant cervical thymus in an infant: an unusual cause of stridor

“…It is a well-accepted modality for localization of the neck mass and determining its extent and internal characteristics [7]. The sono~aphic diagnosis is based on the homogeneity and similarity to the normally positioned thymus [7]. The appearance of aberrant cervical thymus on CT is variable and non-specific.…”

“…Sonography represents the most direct and practical initial imaging modality for the aberrant thymus presenting as a neck mass. It is a well-accepted modality for localization of the neck mass and determining its extent and internal characteristics [7]. The sono~aphic diagnosis is based on the homogeneity and similarity to the normally positioned thymus [7].…”

Ectopic intrathyroidal thymus misdiagnosed as a thyroid nodule: Sonographic appearance

“…15 The abnormally positioned thymus can be aberrant if thymic tissue is positioned in any location along the normal pathway of descent (eg, the lateral neck or in the suprasternal area) or is ectopic if thymic tissue is in any other location (eg, the pharynx, trachea, posterior neck or mediastinum, esophagus, or even skin, the latter appearing in branchio-oculo-facial syndrome). 7,16 However, the aforementioned terms have been used interchangeably, referring to any thymic tissue in a location other than the anterior mediastinum.…”

Ectopic cervical thymus as a rare cause of pediatric neck mass: the role of ultrasound and MRI in the diagnosis. Case report.

“…The increased resolution with the improvement of transducer technology, lack of ionizing radiation and the relatively short examination time makes ultrasound as the initial advantageous modality in imaging of the neck of the pediatric population. Familiarity with the ultrasound appearance is useful in the diagnosis of ECT and preventing unnecessary surgeries [6,7]. Sonographic appearance of the normal thymus is described as a well defined homogenous, hypoechoic mass with multiple echogenic structures and internal echogenicities [8][9][10][11][12][13].…”