Congenital cysts are typically unilocular and thin-walled to the point of translucency; careful histopathologic examination shows no evidence of inflammation. In contrast, acquired thymic cysts are usually multilocular, hence the commonly used term “multilocular thymic cyst (MTC).” These cysts have thick, fibrous walls, and histopathologic examination typically reveals significant inflammation ...

INTRODUCTION Multilocular thymic cysts are rare benign lesions of the neck and mediastinum that can occur at any age. In children, multilocular thymic cysts are usually symptomatic after the age of 2 years and produce few symptoms. We present an unusual case of a multilocular thymic cyst diagnosed in a 3-month-old girl and causing severe respiratory failure. CASE PRESENTATION A 3 month-old-gi...

OBJECTIVE To discuss the computed tomographic (CT) and clinical findings of those entities that may present as recurrent deep neck infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twelve patients with recurrent deep neck infections and CT scans were retrospectively identified since 1990. Their CT scans and medical histories were reviewed. The diagnosis was pathologically confirmed in all cases. RESULTS The...

Ectopic thymic tissue in the neck is rarely reported in medical literature. This paper presents the case of a young female, who presented with a soft, fluctuating mass in the left side of her neck. Surgical excision revealed an ectopic thymic cyst. Ectopic thymic tissue may be an infrequent finding, but it should be included in the differential diagnosis of neck masses, especially in children. ...