[Ectopic thymus: A rare cause of neck mass in children]. / Thymus ectopique : une cause rare de tuméfaction cervicale chez le nourrisson.
Arch Pediatr
; 24(8): 743-746, 2017 Aug.
Article
en Fr
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28689684
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Ectopic cervical thymus (ECT) is a rare embryological abnormality in children. It can be revealed by a compressive neck mass mistaken for a malignant tumor. Through a new case of ECT, we review the embryopathogenesis, diagnostic difficulties and therapeutic features. CLINICAL OBSERVATION A 19-month-old girl presented a right cervical mass that quickly increased in size, causing intermittent dyspnea. The physical examination objectified a 6-cm, soft and compressible, painless right cervical tumefaction, extending from the mastoid area to the ipsilateral supraclavicular fossa. The diagnosis suggested based on CT was a cervicomediastinal cystic lymphangioma. The diagnoses discussed based on MRI were a collection of necrotic lymphadenopathy, rhabdomyosarcoma or neurofibroma debris. The mass was surgically excised through a laterocervical incision. A whitish multilobular tissular mass was found, adherent to the neurovascular axis of the neck. Pathological examination concluded in normal ectopic thymus tissue. The postoperative course was uneventful.CONCLUSION:
Although ECT is a rare benign anomaly, it should be considered as a possible cause of a neck mass in children. Surgery is the curative treatment. Before surgery, the presence of a mediastinal thymus must be confirmed to avoid the risk of a total thymectomy in children. MRI is helpful in delineating thymic ectopia compared to the mediastinal thymus.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Timo
/
Coristoma
/
Cuello
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
Límite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
Idioma:
Fr
Revista:
Arch Pediatr
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article