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Current Medical Imaging

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ISSN (Print): 1573-4056
ISSN (Online): 1875-6603

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Case Report

Ectopic Cervical Thymus: A Common, yet Rarely Symptomatic Pediatric Neck Mass

Author(s): Lee Rousslang*, Jaren Meldrum, Rooks Veronica, Augustah Poutre and Timothy Biega

Volume 17, Issue 4, 2021

Published on: 27 October, 2020

Page: [544 - 548] Pages: 5

DOI: 10.2174/1573405616999201027214101

Price: $65

Abstract

Ectopic thymic tissue is an unusual finding that is generally asymptomatic. We present a case series of five pediatric patients with cervical ectopic thymuses. In two patients, the ectopic thymic tissue was symptomatic, and in three patients, it was an incidental finding. We highlight the need to include this anomaly in the differential diagnosis for a pediatric neck mass. We also propose observation, rather than surgical excision, as the treatment of choice for asymptomatic cervical ectopic thymus.

Keywords: Cervical ectopic thymus, symptomatic thymus, pediatric neck mass, asymptomatic, surgical excision, incidental finding.

Graphical Abstract

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