Thymopharyngeal Duct Cyst: A Case Presentation and Literature Review

Abstract

The differential diagnosis of a lateral cystic neck mass includes branchial cleft cysts and lymphangiomas. Cervical thymic cysts are rare, and thymopharyngeal duct cysts, which maintain a connection to the pharynx, are rarer still. We present an interesting case of a 6 year-old male who developed acute onset of a left-sided neck mass. CT and MRI findings revealed a multiloculated cyst closely associated with the left lobe of the thyroid gland with a tract extending up along the carotid sheath to the pyriform sinus. Complete surgical excision was performed. The anatomic location and pathology were consistent with a thymopharyngeal duct cyst. The embryology, clinical presentation, radiologic and pathologic findings, and surgical management of thymopharyngeal duct cysts will be discussed.

Case report series: Revisiting third and fourth pharyngeal arch anomalies, − are they thymopharyngeal duct remnants?

“…The clinical aspect of these recurrent cases has a marked similarity to the presentation and problems due to inadequate excision of the entire thyroglossal tract, in the much more common congenital anomalies of the thyroglossal duct [ 6 ]. Thymopharyngeal duct cysts have been described in the literature in an identical position and distribution to our cases [ 7 ].…”

A Neck Mass and Stridor in a 54-Day-Old Infant

“…The differential diagnosis of a cervical mass in a child includes congenital cysts, dermoids, and vascular malformations. 1,2 Thymic cysts are uncommon but usually present in the first decade of life along the path of descent of the thymus from the mandible to the sternal notch. Thymic cysts commonly present as a mass in the anterior triangle of the lower neck with mediastinal extension in 50%.…”

Cervical Thymic Cyst: A Rare Differential Diagnosis in Lateral Neck Swelling

“…Hence, cervical thymic cysts can be found anywhere from the angle of the mandible to the thoracic inlet, most commonly on lateral aspect on left side [3]. Thymopharyngeal duct cysts are rarer variety of thymic cysts [6]. …”