Ectopic intrathyroidal thymus misdiagnosed as a thyroid nodule: sonographic appearance.
An 11-year-old boy under suppression therapy for a solitary thyroid nodule was referred for sonographic examination. The diagnosis had been made at another institution, based only on sonography without cytopathologic verification. A small fusiform lesion, which was homogeneously hypoechoic with diffuse bright internal echoes, was demonstrated in the right lower pole of the thyroid. A normal elongated thymus with a cervical component was then found connected to the thyroid with an accessory lobe, which was embedded in the lower thyroid pole mimicking a solitary nodule. We discuss the developmental abnormalities of the thymus and their clinical significance in childhood with a brief review of the literature.
Megremis
Stylianos
S
First Department of Radiology, Venizelio General Hospital, Knossos Avenue, 71409 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Stiakaki
Eftichia
E
Tritou
Ioanna
I
Bonapart
Ingrid Elizabeth
IE
Tsilimigaki
Amalia
A
D002648:Child; D002828:Choristoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013950:Thymus Gland; D016606:Thyroid Nodule / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography