Cervical thymic cyst

Marra, Silvio; Hotaling, Rew J.; Raslan, Wasim F.

doi:10.1016/s0194-5998(95)70260-1

Cited by 20 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…By the third month of embryologic development the thymus has a cortex and medulla and Hassall's corpuscles are evident. The thymus increases in size to approximately 30-40 g at puberty, then the lymphoid component disappears and is replaced by fibrofatty tissue, meanwhile Hassall's corpuscles remain [16]. At the age of 4 it reaches its largest relative size of 12-15 g [3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thymic cysts, frequently, adhere to other surrounding structures such as the jugular vein, phrenic nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve and the thyroid gland. Branchial cysts do not enlarge with a Valsalva maneuver, rarely extend to the clavicle and more often occur along with signs and symptoms of recurrent infection or inflammation [16,26,33]. On the contrary, clinically, thymic cysts usually transilluminate and expand with a Valsalva maneuver [12,33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even if there are no reports in children regarding the development of myasthenia gravis or immunological deficiencies following the excision of a cervical thymic cyst, an accurate estimation of the thymus status is recommended prior to the surgical removal of the cyst. The presence of a mediastinal thymus should be confirmed prior to surgery to prevent the risk of immunoincompetence [16]. If a normal thymus is absent, removal of cervical thymic tissue may leave the patient athymic.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cervical thymic cysts

et al. 2007

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Thymic cysts are rare embryonic remnants along the course of thymic migration in the neck or the anterior mediastinum which may result in cervical masses in children, often misdiagnosed. We present the experience gained by three European tertiary care medical centers in the treatment of thymic cysts as well as the current data on the embryology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of thymic cysts. A retrospective study was carried out in nine patients with thymic cysts during the period 1986-2002 at the departments of Pediatric Surgery of Children's University Hospital "Federico II" and "Santobono" Pediatric Hospital of Naples in Italy and "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital of Athens in Greece. All cases were asymptomatic, appearing mainly as masses resembling branchial cyst or lymphatic malformation. Laboratory and imaging investigations were not useful for preoperative diagnosis. In one case the mass extended into the mediastinum. The histological findings of thymic tissue and Hassal's corpuscles in the cystic wall were diagnostic. In all cases, surgery was successful and uneventful. Surgical excision was accomplished by dissection of the cystic masses from the jugular vein, carotid artery and vagus nerve and from the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The presence of a normal thymus in the mediastinum must be documented preoperatively in order to avoid the risk of total thymectomy. If a cervical thymic cyst extends into the normal thymus, attempts should be made to preserve the thymus, especially in younger patients. Thymic cysts should always be included in the differential diagnosis of lateral cervical masses, especially in children.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cervical thymic cysts

et al. 2007

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“…The differential diagnosis for lateral cystic neck masses includes the more common branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, cystic hygroma, dermoid cyst, cystic teratoma, lipoma, cystic lymphadenopathy and lymphoma as well as cystic metastases. Because of its rarity, the cervical thymic cyst its often not included in this list [8,17]. Because of its rarity, the cervical thymic cyst its often not included in this list [8,17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multilocular cervical thymic cysts in adults. A report of two cases and review of the literature

Ridder

Boedeker

Kersten

2003

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol

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Cervical thymic cysts are rare benign lesions that are hardly ever considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic neck masses. In the vast majority of cases, thymic cysts are found in infants and children. This article illustrates two cases of multilocular cervical thymic cysts in adults presenting as asymptomatic swellings in the neck. The clinical presentation, evaluation, surgical management and pathological findings are described. The possible pathogenesis as an acquired disease is reviewed and discussed. The authors recommend that, despite its rare occurrence, multilocular cervical thymic cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all equivocal cases of unilateral cystic neck masses in adults.

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“…2 The thymus is the central lymphoid organ of infancy. 10 Prenatally, it serves as the final site of lymphocyte development and maturation. Postnatally, the thymus secretes thymosin hormones that enable lymphocytes to become mature T cells.…”

Section: Commentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ectopic Cervical Thymus

Scott¹,

Schroeder²,

Greinwald³

2002

Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg

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Ectopic cervical thymic tissue is an uncommon cause of neck masses in children, with fewer than 100 cases reported in children who presented with primary neck masses. To illustrate the unique characteristics of these tumors, we report the case of a 13-month-old boy with ectopic thymic tissue presenting with asymptomatic, bilateral, and solid cervical masses. This case report highlights several unique findings: (1) the rare nature of solid thymic tumors compared with cystic lesions, (2) the utility of magnetic resonance imaging scanning with and without fat suppression for diagnosis, and (3) the risks of surgical removal of thymic tissue in children. Despite its infrequent occurrence and often asymptomatic presentation, ectopic cervical thymus masses should be included as a rare cause of cervical masses in the pediatric population. Awareness of this diagnosis will allow for appropriate preoperative diagnostic studies, which may preclude the need for biopsy.

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Cervical thymic cyst

Cited by 20 publications

References 0 publications

Cervical thymic cysts

Cervical thymic cysts

Multilocular cervical thymic cysts in adults. A report of two cases and review of the literature

Ectopic Cervical Thymus

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