Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus tissue: a diagnostic challenge

Aydın, Sonay; Fatihoğlu, Erdem; Kaçar, Mahmut

doi:10.1007/s11547-019-00987-0

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In previously reported studies investigating intrathyroidal thymus follow-up, an initial US was performed in 9 to 22 patients aged of 2.5 weeks to 17.5 years. In these studies, follow-up US was performed in 1 to 13 patients, at interval ranging from 6 to 84 months (mean, 30.7 months) ( 1 6 11 13 15 18 ). In our study, we analyzed the initial US findings of 41 patients with an average age of 8.7 months, with an intrathyroidal thymus.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Because the incidence of intrathyroidal thymus is inversely correlated with age, the intrathyroidal thymus would be expected to follow the same growth trends as normal thymic tissue, as they are derived from the same tissue ( 11 23 ). Several follow-up studies reported that most lesions remained stable and some lesions shrank ( 6 11 13 18 ). Segni et al ( 6 ) reported that normal thymus involution occurs with advancing age, in patients aged 13 and 17 years.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, because US has become more frequently used in children, the characteristic features of intrathyroidal thymic tissue used to distinguish it from thyroid nodules have been reported more often, and this intrathyroidal thymus is now more frequently found as a common variant ( 8 11 12 13 14 15 ). Until 2015, 59 cases of ectopic thymic tissue mimicking thyroid nodules or neoplasia detected on US had been published and more cases have been reported since ( 12 13 15 16 17 18 ). The US features of an intrathyroidal thymus are similar to those of a normal thymus.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Certain, characteristics leading to malignancy suspicion and misdiagnosis have resulted in children undergoing thyroid surgery for suspected malignancy that proved to be benign thymic tissue on surgical pathologic analysis ( 7 8 12 13 14 19 20 ). A few papers have reported on follow-up US of the intrathyroidal thymus in small numbers of patients ( 1 6 11 13 15 18 ). The purpose of this study was to analyze the ultrasonographic features of the intrathyroidal thymus mimicking thyroid nodules, upon long-term follow-up, a large number of patients.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-Term Follow-Up Ultrasonographic Findings of Intrathyroidal Thymus in Children

2020

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Objective To analyze long-term follow-up sonographic findings of intrathyroidal thymus in children. Materials and Methods Among 1259 patients with congenital hypothyroidism under 15 years of age who underwent thyroid ultrasonography (US), 41 patients were diagnosed with an intrathyroidal thymus based on US criteria, i.e., hypoechoic solid lesion with punctate and linear echogenicity. In 26 patients aged one to 14 years old, the last follow-up US was performed after 6 to 132 months and compared with the initial US. The lesion was considered to decrease in size if there was a change of more than 2 mm in any dimension. The margin change was divided into well-defined and indistinct, blurred. When the echogenicity changed to a hyperechoic from a characteristic thymic echogenicity pattern, the pattern was considered a hyperechogenic. The changes in size were compared with the changes in shape, margin, and echogenicity pattern. The changes in size, shape, margin, and echogenicity were analyzed the association with the age of last follow-up. Statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-squared test and logistic regression. Results Fifteen (57.7%) cases were stable in size, and 11 (42.3%) decreased in size, including one that disappeared. Ten (38.5%) cases changed to indistinct margins from initially well-defined margins including one case of initially indistinct margin. Six (23.1%) changed to hyperechogenic, from initially characteristic thymic echogenicity patterns. When follow-up change was compared, decreases in size were significantly associated with lesion changes to indistinct margins ( p = 0.004). The age at last follow-up was significantly associated with change to hyperechogenicity (odd ratio, 2.141; 95% confidence interval, 1.144–4.010, p = 0.017). Conclusion On follow-up US, an intrathyroidal thymus may be decreased in size, with indistinct margins, or show changes to a hyperechoic mass. Decreases in size may be associated with changing to indistinct margins, and changes to hyperechogenicity may be associated with increasing age.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Long-Term Follow-Up Ultrasonographic Findings of Intrathyroidal Thymus in Children

2020

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“…US is often considered the first line screening imaging modality and, depending on its findings, may determine the necessity for the next best diagnostic step, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other techniques (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15). The utility of US for interventional procedure guidance such as for tissue sampling and biopsy, interventional drainage procedure or surgical excision is well recognized (16)(17)(18)(19)(20).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Narrative review of multiparametric ultrasound in parotid gland evaluation

Martino¹,

Fodor²,

Fresilli³

et al. 2020

Gland Surg

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Disorders affecting parotid gland represent a heterogeneous group comprising congenital, inflammatory and neoplastic diseases which show a focal or diffuse pattern of appearance. The differentiation of neoplastic from non-neoplastic conditions of parotid glands is pivotal for the diagnostic imaging. Frequently there is evidence of overlapping between the clinical and the imaging appearance of the various pathologies. The parotid gland is also often object of study with the combination of different techniques [ultrasound-computed tomography-magnetic resonance imaging (US-CT-MRI), ex.]. Compared to other dominant methods of medical imaging, US has several advantages providing images in real-time at lower cost, and without harmful use of ionizing radiation and of contrast enhancement. B-mode US, and the microvascular pattern color Doppler are usually used as first step evaluation of parotid lesions. Elastography and contrast-enhanced US (CEUS) has opened further possible perspectives to improve the differentiationbetween benign and malignant parotid lesions. The characterization of the parotid tumors plays a crucial role for their treatment planning and for the prediction of possible surgical complications. We present, here an updated review of the most recurrent pathologies of parotid gland focusing on the diagnostic power of multiparametric US including CEUS and ultrasound elastography (USE); limitations, advantages and the main key-points will be presented

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Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus tissue: emphasis on details

Tritou

Raissaki

2019

Radiol med

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Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus tissue: a diagnostic challenge

Cited by 10 publications

References 11 publications

Long-Term Follow-Up Ultrasonographic Findings of Intrathyroidal Thymus in Children

Long-Term Follow-Up Ultrasonographic Findings of Intrathyroidal Thymus in Children

Narrative review of multiparametric ultrasound in parotid gland evaluation

Intrathyroidal ectopic thymus tissue: emphasis on details

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