Bilateral thymus found in association with unilateral cleft lip and palate.
Ectopic localizations of the thymus have been reported in a variety of unusual sites, but not on the surface of the skin of the neck. As one can see in our case, the left neck mass (1.5 x 2 x 0.5 cm) and the right neck mass (4 x 4 x 0.5 cm), when added together in weight, also equal the total weight of the thymus at birth. Also, not being able to encounter the "sail sign" of the thymus gland on the chest x-ray proved to us that no other thymus gland was present. Because of these unusual findings, prior to excision of any congenital lesion in the neck, a biopsy should be done, and only after that should one proceed with the necessary surgical intervention. We are presenting this case because it is unique in this category.
Civi
I
I
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Euclid Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio.
Kurtay
M
M
Civi
S
S
D002828:Choristoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000150:complications*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000196:embryology