An Uncommon Case of Cervical Thymopharyngeal Duct Cyst

Abstract

Thymopharyngeal duct cyst is one of the most uncommon benign cervical lesions encountered in the paediatric population. Due to its rarity, it almost always escapes a correct preoperative diagnosis and is usually misdiagnosed as a branchial cyst or lymphangioma. Furthermore, although located at the neck it may present with retrosternal or mediastinal extension. In this case report here we present a case of a young boy with a right cervical mass, diagnosis of thymopharyngeal duct cyst was confirmed during histopathological examination of the excised specimen. Furthermore, preoperative ultrasonography and MRI did not detect the thin cord and the lower part of the lesion, which rendered operative treatment more demanding. Apropos to these findings, we reflect on the crucial points of awareness that affect the diagnostic and surgical process of this lesion.

Keywords

• cervical cyst
• children
• paediatric
• thymic cyst