Ectopic Cervical Thymoma: A Case Report and Review

Abstract

In the embryo, the thymus originates from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches and migrates from the superior neck to the mediastinum. Ectopic cervical thymoma (ECT) is an extremely rare tumor that originates from ectopic tissue, and is caused by the aberrant migration of the embryonic thymus. Our patient was a 30-year-old woman who had a nodular lesion in the neck for several years. Ultrasonography and computed tomography were performed. She underwent surgery, and a histological examination resulted in a diagnosis of type AB thymoma. Herein, we report a case of ECT that was resected through a transcervical approach.

Adult Ectopic Cervical Thymic Tissue in relation to a Parathyroid Adenoma and a Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Report of Two Cases

“…Most of the time, the finding may be incidental, correlating with a period of maximum growth of the thymus, but only rarely in adults, as they involute. Histologically, it may present as solid thymic tissue, as in our two cases, thymic cysts [6], but may also undergo hyperplasia [7] and transformation to thymoma [8]. In both the cases, the finding was incidental on histopathology examination, not clinically by macroscopic appearance during operation or radiological evaluation.…”

Rare presentation of ectopic thymoma

“…Thymomas commonly occured in the anterior mediastinum. 7 However, thymomas can arise anywhere from aberrant or remnant thymus in the neck or whole mediastinum. 7 ECT was an extremely rare tumor that originated from ectopic tissue and was caused by the aberrant migration of the embryonic thymus.…”

“…7 However, thymomas can arise anywhere from aberrant or remnant thymus in the neck or whole mediastinum. 7 ECT was an extremely rare tumor that originated from ectopic tissue and was caused by the aberrant migration of the embryonic thymus. 7 It was important to be aware that cervical masses may be thymomas rather than thyroid masses.…”

“…7 ECT was an extremely rare tumor that originated from ectopic tissue and was caused by the aberrant migration of the embryonic thymus. 7 It was important to be aware that cervical masses may be thymomas rather than thyroid masses. 7 It was commonly located in the anterior area of the neck or subjacent to or inside the lower pole of the thyroid gland and was commonly confused with a thyroid nodule.…”

“…7 It was important to be aware that cervical masses may be thymomas rather than thyroid masses. 7 It was commonly located in the anterior area of the neck or subjacent to or inside the lower pole of the thyroid gland and was commonly confused with a thyroid nodule. 7 This may give rise to thymoma, SETTLE, CASTLE, a study done by Andrey.…”