title: Thymic cyst: a fourth branchial cleft anomaly.
abstract: We report a unique case of a fourth branchial cleft cyst found within the thymus of an adult patient. In the literature to date, there have been no reports of such a finding in the adult population. These anomalies can often cause recurrent acute suppurative thyroiditis or recurrent deep neck abscesses. Delay in recognizing the underlying etiology can lead to significant complications.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery Department, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Smriti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nayan
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: MacLean
authors.forename: Doron
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sommer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001934:Branchial Region / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography