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Ectopic cervical thymus: case report and review of pathogenesis and management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2009

F Ahsan ,
R Allison  and
J White
F Ahsan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Fifth Floor Riverside Block, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
R Allison
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Fifth Floor Riverside Block, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand
J White
Affiliation:
Histopathology Department, Southern Community Laboratories, Christchurch, New Zealand
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Farhan Ahsan, Clinical Fellow, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 5th Floor Riverside Block, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

Ectopic cervical thymus is a rare anomaly, and 50 per cent of cases occur in children. The aim of this report was to remind clinicians of this rare condition, which is part of the differential diagnosis of a paediatric neck lump.

Method:

Case report together with literature review of the pathogenesis and management of ectopic cervical thymus.

Results:

The ectopic cervical thymus is a rare cause of a benign neck mass, and is thus usually misdiagnosed as lymphadenopathy or neoplasia. We discuss its embryology, aetiology, presentation, histopathology, radiology and management, with reference to the reported case.

Conclusion:

Ectopic cervical thymus should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of a paediatric neck lump. The diagnosis can often be confirmed by cytology and radiology prior to surgical excision.

Keywords

Thymus GlandNeckChild
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 6 , June 2010 , pp. 694 - 697
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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