Symptomatic Solid Ectopic Cervical Thymus in a 2-Month-Old Infant: Case Report

Abstract

Ectopic cervical thymus (ECT) is a rare pediatric pathology usually with an asymptomatic course. In fewer cases, the patient may present with dyspnea, hoarseness, stridor, dysphagia and pain. The mass may present in cystic or solid forms. Solid forms are rare, constituting only 10% of all ECT cases and these are mostly symptomatic. We aimed to present the case of an infant with ECT in the submandibular region that led to shortness of breath. ECTs in the submandibular region are mostly solid and larger in size, and therefore, likely to result in compressive symptoms. In this case report, we tried to cover the important aspects of the diagnosis of ECT, its treatment, and discussed the results with a literature review. We additionally aimed to emphasize the importance of considering pediatric ECT in the differential diagnosis of pediatric neck mass as well as considering surgical excision to prevent serious consequences.

Keywords

• thymus
• ectopic tissue
• neck
• tumor
• pediatric
• case report