Thoracic intrathymic thyroid.
OBJECTIVE
The authors introduce thoracic intrathymic thyroid as a clinical entity.


BACKGROUND
Although accessory aberrant thyroid has not been found in other tissues in the mediastinum, a thoracic intrathymic location has not been described previously. It is believed that mediastinal thyroid tissue represents accessory ectopic tissue from the median thyroid anlage. Moreover, the close association of the thymus and thyroid supports the theory that mediastinal ectopic thyroid tissue develops from abnormal descent of these structures during embryogenesis.


METHODS
Benign thoracic intrathymic thyroid lesions are described in patients with mediastinal masses.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoracic intrathymic thyroid is a distinct entity. Its occurrence is supported both clinically and embryologically.
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
R J
RJ
Spinner
K L
KL
Moore
M R
MR
Gottfried
J E
JE
Lowe
D C
DC
Sabiston
D000328:Adult; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D013950:Thymus Gland; D013961:Thyroid Gland