Diagnosis and Management of Ectopic Solid Cervical Thymus and Cervical
Thymic Cyst in children: Case report and systematic review of the
literature
Abstract
Background: We aimed to clarify the surgical management of ectopic
cervical thymus (ECT) in children. Methods: Case report and systematic
review of the literature. Results: We report a case of ECT in a 10-year
old girl initially misdiagnosed as branchial cyst. A systematic review
of the literature (1997-2018) identified 143 paediatric patients (150
ECT) diagnosed as follows: 10 incidentally at autopsy, 107 after
complete surgical excision, 33 after needle/ incisional biopsy/ imaging
only. There were no reports of malignancy. Conclusions: ECT is a benign
and relatively rare condition in children. ECT can be the only active
thymus and careful consideration should be taken prior to its excision
in young children. We recommend that ECT should be considered in the
differential diagnosis of lateral neck masses in children. In cases
where the exact aetiology is unclear investigation with an MRI scan of
neck and thorax to avoid inappropriate surgical intervention.