Ectopic thymus presenting as a retropharyngeal mass: surgical approach

Ear Nose Throat J. 2013 Jan;92(1):41-3. doi: 10.1177/014556131309200113.

Abstract

Cervical ectopic thymus is a rare cause of solid neck masses in children. Most children are asymptomatic, but some may present with a palpable neck mass, with or without compressive symptoms. Cervical ectopic thymus is often discovered incidentally and mistaken for an infection or neoplasm. We present the case of an infant with retropharyngeal ectopic thymus and describe our intraoral surgical approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Choristoma / diagnosis*
  • Choristoma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Neck
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Pharyngeal Diseases / surgery
  • Thymus Gland*