Challenges in diagnosing ectopic thymus tissue in children

Claes, Laura; Dendooven, Amélie; Heerden, Jaques van

doi:10.1136/bcr-2018-228807

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…In one case report, a 4.5-year-old boy had a rapidly enlarging neck lesion that raised concerns of cancer. However, surgical removal revealed a rare finding of bleeding within an ectopic cervical thymic cyst 5. Another case report involved an 18-month-old boy who presented with breathing difficulties and stridor due to tracheal compression caused by a cervico-mediastinal thymic cyst 6…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Congenital cystic neck mass of thymic origin

Almalki,

Alsheef,

Alnemari

et al. 2024

BMJ Case Rep

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Neck masses are frequently seen in children. The differential diagnosis includes infectious, congenital and neoplastic lesions. We report a case of rare thymic neck mass in a boy in his middle childhood presented with a history of a left anterolateral neck mass not associated with fever, dysphagia or shortness of breath. The radiographic evaluation showed a picture of a thymopharyngeal duct cyst. Thymic remnant and thymopharyngeal duct cyst are caused by the failure of obliteration and might appear as a lateral neck mass in children. The most effective treatment for a thymopharyngeal duct cyst is total surgical excision. This particular case highlights the importance for clinicians to have a high index of suspicion for a broad differential diagnosis when evaluating paediatric patients who present with neck mass. Additionally, we emphasise the importance of consistently considering thymopharyngeal cyst as differential diagnosis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Congenital cystic neck mass of thymic origin

Almalki,

Alsheef,

Alnemari

et al. 2024

BMJ Case Rep

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“…All cases of sudden death of children without signs of violent death are usually a matter of concern for forensic medical experts [7][8][9]. According to R. W. Byard, all autopsies of SVSD should undergo a structured examination aimed at identifying the main causes of sudden death [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Histologically, no changes, signs of thymoma or other diseases of the thymus were found in the thymus. Consequently, an increase in the mass and size of the histologically preserved thymus determines the true hyperplasia of the thymus [4,8,14].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sudden infant death syndrome as a result of thymic-lymphatic dysgenesis

Mussabekova,

Burkova,

Dobler

et al. 2024

J CLIN MED KAZ

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Sudden infant death syndrome is one of the leading causes of post-neonatal mortality. The thymic-lymphatic condition in children is a clinically rare manifestation and difficult to diagnose condition, assessed as a background, realized in a number of cases of sudden death syndrome. However, the clinical and histopathological manifestations of thymic-lymphatic status may not be clearly expressed. We present an unusual case of sudden infant death syndrome as a result of thymic-lymphatic dysgenesis complicated by acute adrenal insufficiency.

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“…In the past, a fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) or surgical excision were commonly performed to confirm the diagnosis [ 2 , 17 ]. In more recent years, given the benignity of these conditions, when the thymus is found in locations other than anterior mediastinum, a conservative management is gaining ground, due to the absence of complications and the spontaneous tendency to regression.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The thymus is an important immune organ during childhood. As a primary lymphoid organ, its principal role is the proliferation and maturation of lymphoid progenitors or thymocytes [ 2 ]. Abnormal thymus embryogenesis and migration could be responsible for some thymus congenital abnormalities.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abnormal Locations of Thymic Tissue as an Uncommon Cause of Neck Masses in Children: A Practical Approach

Andreozzi

Sacchi

Biagi

et al. 2023

Life

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Background: The thymus gland is a lymphoid organ normally located in the anterior mediastinum. Location abnormalities of the thymus, such as ectopic thymus or the superior herniation of a mediastinal thymus, could be responsible for the occurrence of cervical masses in pediatric patients, raising concerns among clinicians. The knowledge of these conditions is essential for a thorough differential diagnosis and for preventing unnecessary invasive procedures. Methods: Descriptive retrospective series of three patients with a cervical mass, that was later diagnosed as ectopic thymic tissue. Results: The thymus has a unique and distinctive ultrasound appearance that is the keystone to detecting thymic parenchyma in locations other than anterior mediastinum. In selected patients, an accurate ultrasound could be conclusive for the diagnosis, with no need for further and potentially risky procedures. Conclusions: This case series supports the use of ultrasound in both diagnosis and follow-up of thymus location abnormalities, advocating a minimal invasive and conservative approach.

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Challenges in diagnosing ectopic thymus tissue in children

Cited by 9 publications

References 17 publications

Congenital cystic neck mass of thymic origin

Congenital cystic neck mass of thymic origin

Sudden infant death syndrome as a result of thymic-lymphatic dysgenesis

Abnormal Locations of Thymic Tissue as an Uncommon Cause of Neck Masses in Children: A Practical Approach

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