Pharyngeal Ectopic Thymus: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Pharyngeal ectopic thymus is an uncommon congenital anomaly.
• It presents as a pharyngeal mass, often overlooked in pediatric differential diagnoses.
• Early identification is crucial for appropriate management.

Observation:

• A case of an infant presenting with a pharyngeal mass is described.
• The mass was identified as ectopic thymus tissue.
• Diagnostic challenges in differentiating from other neck masses were noted.

Findings:

• The infant was successfully treated using an intraoral surgical approach.
• This minimally invasive technique facilitated complete mass resection.
• Histopathological confirmation of ectopic thymic tissue was achieved.

Implications:

• Highlights the importance of considering ectopic thymus in pediatric pharyngeal masses.
• Demonstrates the efficacy of intraoral surgery for this condition.
• Contributes to the literature on rare congenital head and neck anomalies.