title: Cervical thymic cysts.
abstract: Cervical thymic cysts are a rare cause of neck masses in children. This case report describes a three-year-old child with a several-month history of an enlarging neck mass, who was emergently admitted due to airway obstruction. Computed tomography revealed a large cystic mass extending from the oropharynx to the level of the mediastinum. Excision of the mass with pathologic examination revealed a thymic cyst. The clinical picture, the theories regarding development of these cysts, as well as surgical options for treatment, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cornell University Medical College, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hession
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed