[Cervical thymic cysts. Considerations on a case]

The Authors report a case of cervical thymic cyst. The only distinguishing feature is the presence of thymic tissue, containing Hassall's corpuscles, in the wall. From review of literature rarity of this swelling is manifest, and so is difficulty of preoperative diagnosis. As far as pathogenesis is concerned, long consideration has failed to resolve the question of their developmental or degenerative origin. Treatment consists of excision of the cyst and its accompanying tract. Prognosis is usually good.