Ectopic Thymus Presenting as a Submandibular Neck Mass

Search: Korean J Head Neck Oncol Search

CLOSE

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2004;20(1):52-54.
Published online May 30, 2004.

Won Hyo Hwang;Jung Je Park;Sea Yuong Jeon;Jin Pyeong Kim

경부 종물로 발현된 이소성 흉선 1예

황원효;박정제;전시영;김진평

Abstract

Ectopic cervical thymic tissue is rarely reported in medical literature, but it should be included in the differential diagnosis of neck masses, especially in children. It occurs in the line of descent of the thymus from the angle of the mandible to the superior mediastinum. A preoperative diagnosis is seldom considered and is often misdiagnosed as a possible tumor or a lymph node. We present a case of a 2-month-old infant with an asymptomatic enlarging right neck mass. Patient underwent complete excision of the mass.

Key Words: Neck mass, Ectopic cervical thymus

TOOLS