Cervical presentations of thymic anomalies in children.
OBJECTIVE
To better define the clinical manifestations, radiologic imaging and the surgical management of cervical thymic lesions in children.


METHODS
Multi-center retrospective case review.


METHODS
The charts of all children with pathologically confirmed thymic lesions at six children's hospitals (1990-2002) were reviewed for demographics, physical findings, X-ray findings, operative outcomes and pathology.


RESULTS
There were a total of 15 children, 2 of whom had ectopic cervical thymus and 13 who had thymic cysts. They ranged in age from 1 month to 18 years. Thymic lesions were more common in males. Ectopic cervical thymus was best defined by MRI whereas thymic cyst had a more consistent appearance on CT. All children had successful surgical resection with no recorded complications or recurrences.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervical thymic lesions are rare. Ectopic cervical thymus tends to be found primarily in infants whereas thymic cysts occur in a wider age range. Radiologic imaging is important but is not histologically specific. Definitive diagnosis and cure requires complete surgical excision.
Khariwala
S S
SS
Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders- A71, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Nicollas
R
R
Triglia
J M
JM
Garabedian
E N
EN
Marianowski
R
R
Van Den Abbeele
T
T
April
M
M
Ward
R
R
Koltai
P J
PJ
D002648:Child; D002828:Choristoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013950:Thymus Gland