A Case of Aberrant Cervical Thymus in a One-year-old Boy

소아의 이소성 경부흉선 1예

Aberrant migration of thymic tissue occurs as an ectopic thymus in the mediastinum, base of skull, tracheal bifurcation, and cervical region. A recent review of the literature by Nowak et al. showed over 70 reported cases of aberrant thymus or thymic cyst in patients who presented with primary neck masses. Authors experienced a case of ectopic cervical thymus and reviewed the literature. A one-year-old boy with left neck swelling which had been noticed since one month of age visited out patient clinic. Ultrasonography showed a well-defined cystic mass containing homogeneous, low-echogenic content locating in the lateral aspect of the left carotid sheath. Operation was performed under the impression of branchial cleft cyst. At surgery, a multiseptated, well-encapsulated, brownish and doughy mass which was extending into the vicinity of the carotid bifurcation with sland stalk-like portion ending between the hypoglossal nerve and external carotid artery was excised completely. The cut-surface showed homogenous solid mass, and on frozen section the tissue revealed a normal thymic histology. Postoperative ultrasonography showed bilateral thymus in the superior mediastinum. The patient has no immunologic problem and is doing well now.

1세된 남아에서 세열낭종을 의심한 좌측 경부 종양이 수술을 시행한 결과 고형종양이였고, 조직검사상 이소성 흉선으로 판명되었다. 술후 초음파상 흉선은 정상적으로 있었고, 현재 환자의 면역기능은 아무 이상없이 정상으로 자라고 있다.