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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Reaggregate Thymus Cultures
Published on: August 28, 2008
Aberrant cervical thymus: a case report and review of literature
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Sung Kyun Kwan University, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.
Insights
A rare case of aberrant cervical thymus in a 4-month-old boy presented as a neck mass. Surgical removal confirmed normal thymic tissue, highlighting the importance of considering this rare diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Head and Neck Pathology
- Embryology
Background:
- Aberrant cervical thymus is a rare congenital anomaly where thymic tissue is found outside the mediastinum in the neck.
- It can present as a neck mass, often mimicking other pediatric neck masses like lymphangiomas or tumors.
- Understanding its embryological origin is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old boy presented with a right submandibular mass.
- Preoperative imaging and clinical suspicion suggested a lymphangioma or neoplastic lesion.
- Surgical excision was performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination of the excised mass revealed normal thymic tissue.
- No evidence of malignancy or other abnormalities was found.
- This confirmed the diagnosis of aberrant cervical thymus.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of including aberrant cervical thymus in the differential diagnosis of pediatric neck masses.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis can prevent unnecessary extensive surgical procedures or treatments.
- Reviewing embryological development aids in understanding and managing such rare presentations.
Abstract:
This article illustrates a case of an aberrant cervical thymus presented as a neck mass. This is a case of a 4-month-old boy presenting with a right submandibular mass whose preoperative diagnosis was lymphangioma or neoplastic lesion. The mass was successfully removed and the histopathological examination showed normal thymic tissue with no diagnostic abnormality. This paper reviews the embryological background of aberrant cervical thymus, the varying clinical presentations with an emphasis on differential diagnosis, clinical work-up, and surgical treatment.
