Cervical Thymic Cyst Research Articles

A Rare Cause of Neck Mass in an Adult Woman- Cervical Thymic Cyst - A Case Report

Background: Cervical thymic cysts (CTCs) develop from the thymo-pharyngeal duct, representing less than 0.5% of all neck masses. Most of the cases are diagnosed in the first decade of life, being rarely described in adults. The majority of CTCs are located on the left side, the rest develop on the right side or in the midline. The patients present usually with a painless mass, rarely with compressive signs. The mechanisms of CTCs occurrence are still debated, failure of involution of thymopharyngeal duct, arrest in migration or retained thymic tissue during descent, being considered. Case Presentation: We report a case of a 49-year-old woman who presented a left laterocervical mass, with rapid growth over several months. The lump was soft, mobile and painless, no other clinical abnormalities were noticed. The ultrasound described an anechoic nodule of 57/38/63 mm at the inferior pole of the left thyroid lobe, raising the suspicion of a parathyroid cyst or branchial cyst. Contrast-enhanced CT scan confirmed the well-defined, homogeneous cystic lesion of 35/25 mm, located between the trachea and common carotid artery, being delimitated inferiorly by the left brachiocephalic vein. The aspiration of the cyst resulted in 40 ml of water-clear fluid, cytology examination confirmed the absence of thyroid or parathyroid cells. Surgery was performed, the pathological diagnosis confirmed the CTC. Conclusion: Although the thymic cyst is a very rare cause of a cervical mass in adult, the diagnosis should be kept in mind, based on clinical presentation, ultrasound and CT features, respectively aspirated fluid characteristics.

Cervical thymic cyst ? A Rare Neck Swelling in an Adolescent.

Cystic neck masses in adolescents pose a diagnostic challenge as they be neoplastic or non-neoplastic, congenital, inflammatory, or infectious. Detailed history and examination, anatomical location of the lesion may help narrow down the differential diagnosis of such masses. Cervical thymic cysts contribute to less than 1% cystic lesions in the neck. We present one such case and our management strategy.

Cervical Thymic Cyst - An Overlooked Entity

Thymic cysts are one of the rare causes of neck masses in the paediatric age group. Patients may complain of neck swelling either central or lateral neck swelling. There is difficulty in diagnosing a cervical thymic cyst as it may mimic a branchial cleft cyst or a cervical lymphangioma. Definitive diagnosis of a thymic cyst requires histopathological examination of thymic tissue. We report a case of a 6-year-old girl who presented with painless lateral neck swelling for 2 months duration. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed a left branchial cyst with retropharyngeal extension. The patient underwent complete excision of the mass and histological examination was reported as a cervical thymic cyst. Postoperatively, she was able to be discharged after serial follow-ups with no signs and symptoms of recurrence.

A Cervical Thymic Cyst in an Adult Female; A Case Report and Comprehensive Literature Review.

Introduction: Cervical thymic cyst accounts for (0.3-1) % of cervical cysts in children and are usually present during the first decade of life with few reported cases in adults. Herein, we present a 34-year-old female with a cervical thymic cyst. We conducted a review of all the previously reported cases as well. Case presentation: The patient complained of an anterolateral neck swelling that was noticed one year ago. It was a soft, fluctuant, mobile, non-tender swelling in the midline and the right side of the lower neck. Neck ultrasonography revealed a large thin-walled cyst, with no internal septa, echoes, or solid parts. Post-contrast MRI of the neck showed a well-defined, oblong-shaped, lobulated cystic lesion just beneath the strap muscle. The cyst extended caudally to the superior border of the anterior mediastinum at the level of the upper border of the manubrium sterni. The patient underwent excision of the swelling under general anesthesia via Kocher's collar neck incision. Connection with the thymus gland was detected behind the manubrium sterni which was separated. Pathological examination showed prominent thymic tissue confirming the diagnosis of a cervical thymic cyst. Conclusion: Adult cervical thymic cyst is very rare with a few cases reported in the literature. Surgical excision in symptomatic patients is the treatment of choice. Paper's main novel aspects: • A rare presentation of a cervical thymic cyst in an adult. • A comprehensive literature review including all the previously reported cases in one table.

Adult Cervical Thymic Cysts: A Narrative Review.

Thymic cysts are rare benign neck masses, accounting for less than 1% of all cervical masses. This study aims to discern different presentations, investigations, and treatment options of thymic cysts in adults by reviewing prior published studies from January 2010 to October 2021 to bridge the knowledge gap since the last review by Michalopoulos in 2011. Moreover, we present a case of a 28-year-old male with a left cervical thymic cyst. Data were obtained from a literature search using the ScienceDirect, PubMed, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar databases. This study retrospectively analyzes reported cases of adult cervical thymic cysts by collecting demographic data, patient presentation, duration, location, size, type of imaging, fine-needle aspiration, and surgical approach. Eighteen patients were included. Cysts were seen on the left (n = 9), right (n = 5), and midline (n = 4). The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 64years. Most patients present with painless left-sided neck swelling. Computed tomography (CT) was the preferred imaging modality in most cases. Moreover, surgical excision was essential for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. This study did not require institutional review board approval. Adult cervical thymic cyst is a rare etiology. Nevertheless, a painless left-sided neck mass with no clear lower border should uphold thymic cyst as a differential diagnosis. MRI and CT scans are the preferred imaging modalities for preoperative planning. Surgical excision is mandatory for treatment and histological confirmation. As of October 2021, around 54 cases of adult thymus cysts had been reported to the best of our knowledge and review.

Ectopic Cervical Thymic Cyst- A Rare Differential Diagnosis of Paediatric Lateral Neck Swellings

Ectopic Cervical Thymic Cyst- A Rare Differential Diagnosis of Paediatric Lateral Neck Swellings

Ectopic Cervical Thymic Cyst- A Rare Differential Diagnosis of Paediatric Lateral Neck Swellings

Congenital ectopic thymic cysts are one among the rare neck masses seen in paediatric age group. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical neck swellings in children. This is a case report of ectopic cervical thymic cyst presenting in a nine-year-old male child as unilateral neck mass. Histopathological features were suggestive of ectopic cervical thymic cyst. The embryological basis, clinical presentation and diagnosis of ectopic cervical thymic cyst is discussed in the study.

Cervical Thymic Cyst Presenting as a Solitary Cervical Cystic Mass in a 57-Year-Old Woman : A Case Report and Literature Review

Cervical Thymic Cyst Presenting as a Solitary Cervical Cystic Mass in a 57-Year-Old Woman : A Case Report and Literature Review

Cervical thymic cyst: A rare cause of neck mass in a female adolescent

Abstract Cervical thymic cysts are an uncommon cause of a neck mass in children. Most cervical thymic cysts undergo surgical excision for diagnostic purposes; therefore, the natural progression of these lesions is not known. While these lesions are more predominant in males, we present a 15-year-old female who underwent an uneventful surgical excision of a cervical thymic cyst.

Cervical thymic cyst in adult: a rare entity

<p>Cervical thymic cysts in adults are rare and seldom diagnosed preoperatively as it may mimic other cystic cervical swellings like a branchial cleft cyst. We present our first encounter with an adult-onset cervical thymic cyst presenting as a lateral neck mass as the sole symptom. Clinical, radiological and cytological evaluations are excellent tools to approach and assess cervical thymic cysts. Histopatholgical examination is the only mean to provide a definitive diagnosis. Adult-onset cervical thymic cyst is a rare entity but should be included in the differential diagnosis for lateral neck swelling. Surgical excision is both diagnostic and therapeutic, once malignancy has been exluded.</p>

Rare case of cervical thymic cyst diagnosed on pre‐operative imaging

Rare case of cervical thymic cyst diagnosed on pre‐operative imaging

A Cervical Thymic Cyst with Persistent Thymopharyngeal Tract: A Case Report

Cervical thymic cyst is a rare entity of either congenital or inflammatory origin described infrequently in literature. The asymptomatic nature of the entity and the rarity of the lesion frequently lead to a diagnostic dilemma many times. We present a case of cervical thymic cyst that presented to us as an asymptomatic neck mass that was managed surgically. Cervical thymic cyst should be kept as a differential diagnosis of an asymptomatic neck swelling especially in children.

Lateral cervical thymic cyst in a child: a case report

BackgroundCervical thymic cysts are uncommon lesions, rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of neck cysts in children.Case presentationWe report a rare case of multiloculated thymic cyst in an 8-year-old boy on the right side of the neck. Perioperative diagnosis was a cystic hygroma. Macroscopic examination showed a cystic mass measuring 6.5 cm in total length. Histopathology of the excised specimen revealed thymic tissue with prominent Hassall’s corpuscles associated with multiloculated cyst. The cyst wall is bordered by a flattened or multilayered epithelium, often abraded.ConclusionThis case is presented here for its rarity and should be included in the differential diagnosis of neck masses in children. So, it’s a lesion to be well aware of, particularly by pathologists.

Cervical thymic cysts

Thymic cysts are rarely occurring benign neck masses, most frequently seen in children. They are remnants of the third and fourth branchial pouches. They may occur at any point along the thymic tract, though they have a predilection for the left side of the neck, often deep in the neck. Patients often present with compressive symptoms. Treatment is surgical excision. Care must be taken, however, to confirm the presence of thoracic thymic tissue before excision of this neck lesion. On histology, they are defined by the presence of thymic parenchyma and Hassal corpuscles in the cyst wall.

Diagnosis and Management of Cervical Thymic Cysts in Children

We present the case of a 10-year-old boy with the sudden onset of a large, painless left neck mass. Findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy suggest a cystic lesion, most likely of thymic origin. Cervical thymic cysts are a rare form of cervical mass, which are easily overlooked in the differential diagnosis of children presenting with painless neck masses. A combination of CT and MRI investigations can be helpful in differentiating thymic cysts from other congenital and neoplastic masses, but the definitive diagnosis of thymic cyst requires histopathological documentation of thymic tissue. Surgical excision is considered the management of choice for thymic cysts, and no cases of postoperative recurrence have been reported.

A Case of Ectopic Lateral Cervical Thymic Cyst Mimicking as a Second Branchial Cleft Cyst

A Case of Ectopic Lateral Cervical Thymic Cyst Mimicking as a Second Branchial Cleft Cyst

頸部胸腺囊胞の1症例

【緒言】胸腺囊胞は胎生期に発生した胸腺咽頭管の遺残や異所性胸腺が液体貯留を起こしたもので，頸部に発生する例はまれである。今回頸部胸腺囊胞の1例を経験したので報告する。【症例】57歳，女性。3か月前から増大する右頸部腫瘤等を訴え当院受診した。画像検査上，右顎下部から頸動脈周囲腔に多房性の囊胞性腫瘤像を認めた。リンパ管奇形疑いの術前診断後，腫瘤摘出術を施行した。術後の病理組織検査で胸腺組織を認めたため頸部胸腺囊胞と診断された。【結語】本症例は，胸腺囊胞に特徴的な縦隔と腫瘤との連続性を画像検査にて認めず，術前の診断は困難であった。頸部囊胞性病変の診断，治療においては，頸部胸腺囊胞を鑑別に置く必要がある。

Unilateral cervical thymic cyst in a child: A rare case report

Cervical thymic cysts are rare cysts presenting in the first decade of life. We present a cervical thymic cyst clinically manifesting as a lateral neck mass. The histological features were diagnostic. Addtionally, a small focus of ectopic parathyroid tissue in the wall of the cyst was present which has been rarely reported in literature. Thymic cyst can be diagnosed only by histopathology and the knowledge of this entity will prevent its misdiagnosis.

Multilocular Cervical Thymic Cyst: Rare Cervical Lesion should kept in Mind in Differential Diagnosis of Pediatric Cervical Masses

Multilocular Cervical Thymic Cyst: Rare Cervical Lesion should kept in Mind in Differential Diagnosis of Pediatric Cervical Masses Congenital anomalies are the most common causes of benign cystic neck masses during the childhood. Cervical thymic cyst is a rare and unique form of cystic neck mass which is usually seen in the first decade of life. Preoperative diagnosis of cervical thymic cysts is challenging due to the rarity and insignificant findings. A seven-year-old-boy presented to hospital with the complaint of progressive swelling on the right side of the neck over a year. Radiologically, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 95 × 37 × 30 mm in size cystic mass located at the right side, anterior of SCM which was related with the carotid sheath. Surgical resection was performed. In the childhood, the thymic cyst comprises less than 1% of the cervical cystic lesions. Rarely may they show malignant transformation. Unilocular thymic cysts are usually congenital and are thought to arise from cystic dilatation of branchial pouch remnants, whereas multilocular thymic cysts are considered to be acquired reactive lesions. Finally, cervical thymic cyst is very rare benign cystic neck mass during the childhood. However, it should be kept in mind in differential diagnosis in case of asymptomatic patients who are between the ages of 2-13 and total surgical resection should be performed because of malignant transformation potential.

Robot-Assisted Excision of a Cervical Thymic Cyst Mimicking Possible Basal Cell Carcinoma Metastasis

Background: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin malignancy in the head and neck area, cervical metastasis is not common but the risk still remains and cystic lesion had been reported. Cervical Thymic Cyst (CTC) is also a rare disorder. This report aims to describe a clinical puzzle of a CTC in an adult patient with history of facial BCC. We also introduce the new developed robot-assisted surgery for cervical excisional biopsy that is prerequisite for a definite pathologic diagnosis. Case reports: A 39-year-old woman with history of naso-labial fold BCC presented with a cervical cystic mass. To exclude the possibility of cervical metastasis, the robot assisted excisional biopsy was done via retro-auricular approach to avoid leaving a visible cervical scar. The lesion was proved to be a Cervical Thymic Cyst (CTC), which is rarely found in adults and she was satisfied with the invisible scar hidden in the hairline. Conclusion: For a neck mass with undetermined malignant potential, the robot-assisted excisional biopsy via retro-auricular approach is a good alternative with better cosmetic result.