Aberrant Cervical Thymus: A Rare Cause of Acute Respiratory Distress

Ectopic cervical thymus associated with infant death: 2 case reports and literature review

“…The respiratory symptoms are induced by the lesion's compression of the cervical trachea [3,26,29]. Severe respiratory distress had developed in some serious cases [2][3][4][5]21], and mechanical asphyxia leading to death was reported in an additional instance [6]. Shackelford et al also reported a case, similar to our first case, presenting with tracheal compression and obstructive airway symptoms when the baby was placed in a prone position [39].…”

“…Ectopic cervical thymus (ECT) is a rare congenital anomaly found in 1% of pediatric autopsies [1]. Most cases follow an indolent course, but several cases have shown life-threatening symptoms such as respiratory distress due to tracheal compression [2][3][4][5]. Only 1 fatal case, caused by mechanical asphyxia, has been previously reported [6].…”

“…, respectively[1,[3][4][5]11,12,.Solid ECTs are most frequently seen in males, with patient age ranging from birth to 30 years (median age, 3 months). Most cases (70%) have been diagnosed at a patient age of <6 months.…”

Cervical thymic rebound after cancer treatment

“…Rarely, dysphagia [6], stridor, or respiratory distress [7] may be present. Most cases are seen in children, but ectopic cervical thymus has been described in an otherwise asymptomatic adult [8].…”

Ectopic Thymus Presenting as a Neck Swelling in a Newborn

“…It is usually apparent clinically, while asymptomatic ectopic thymic tissue at other sites is difficult to diagnose and may produce symptoms in the form of dysphagia or airway compression. 3,6 Although ectopic cervical thymus is the most common of all types of ectopic thymus, the diagnosis in all is not suspected preoperatively, and is confirmed only after excision and histological examination. Ultrasound and CT scan in our case were not helpful.…”