title: Infected thymic cyst: an unusual cause of respiratory distress in a child.
abstract: A 15-month-old male developed acute respiratory distress following a prolonged upper respiratory tract infection. Laboratory and radiological investigations suggested tracheal compression by a malignant anterior mediastinal mass. Following a short course of steroid therapy, urgent exploration of the mediastinum and resection of the mass was carried out; resolution of the airway obstruction was obtained. Histological and bacteriological examination of the lesion revealed it to be a thymic cyst infected by Haemophilus Influenzae with abscess formation. The causes of tracheal compression in childhood are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications; D006192:Haemophilus Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006193:Haemophilus influenzae; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000150:complications*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology*