title: Parenchymal cysts of the lower neck.
abstract: We report on the appearance of parathyroid, thyroid, and cervical thymic cysts on computed tomography (CT) scans. The differential diagnostic considerations include thyroglossal and branchial cleft cysts, cystic hygromas, primary and metastatic tumors, dermoids, teratomas, choristomas, tracheoesophageal and cervical bronchogenic cysts, as well as cystic neuromas, abscesses, and lipomas. Most cannot be differentiated using CT alone and require clinical observations, laboratory testing, and surgical and histologic findings for definitive diagnosis. Our experience with these rare lesions is reported, and the differential diagnoses are discussed.
mesh_terms: D001935:Branchioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002828:Choristoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008202:Lymphangioma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009463:Neuroma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010279:Parathyroid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013950:Thymus Gland; D013955:Thyroglossal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging