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Accessory thymus in posterior mediastinum.
Sushmita Bhatnagar1, Rohit Pradhan, Pankaj Shastri
1Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children, Parel, Mumbai - 400 012, India.
Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons
|December 17, 2009
Summary
An unusual posterior mediastinal mass in a child was found to be an accessory thymus. This rare condition can mimic solid tumors, causing symptoms like dysphagia and cough.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The thymus is typically located in the anterior mediastinum.
- Ectopic thymic tissue can occur but is uncommon.
- Posterior mediastinal masses in children often raise concerns for malignancy.
Observation:
- A 20-month-old male presented with dysphagia and dry cough.
- Imaging revealed a solid posterior mediastinal mass.
- Initial differential diagnoses included lymphoma and neuroblastoma.
Findings:
- Surgical excision and histopathology confirmed the mass to be normal thymic tissue.
- This represents a rare case of an accessory thymus in the posterior mediastinum.
- The ectopic thymus was causing mass effect symptoms.
Implications:
- Accessory thymic tissue in the posterior mediastinum is a rare differential diagnosis for pediatric mediastinal masses.
- Benign ectopic thymus can present with symptoms mimicking malignant tumors.
- Awareness of this entity is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management in pediatric patients.
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