Cervical thymic cyst in adult: a rare entity

Authors

  • Rohaizam Bin Japar Jaafar Department of ENT, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht
  • Glen Johannes Franciscus Kemps Department of ENT, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht
  • Ing Bing Tan Department of ENT, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht
  • Alida Annechien Postma Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20192735

Keywords:

Cervical thymic cyst, Thymopharyngeal duct cyst, Cervical schwannoma

Abstract

Cervical thymic cysts in adults are rare and seldom diagnosed preoperatively as it may mimic other cystic cervical swellings like a branchial cleft cyst. We present our first encounter with an adult-onset cervical thymic cyst presenting as a lateral neck mass as the sole symptom. Clinical, radiological and cytological evaluations are excellent tools to approach and assess cervical thymic cysts. Histopatholgical examination is the only mean to provide a definitive diagnosis. Adult-onset cervical thymic cyst is a rare entity but should be included in the differential diagnosis for lateral neck swelling. Surgical excision is both diagnostic and therapeutic, once malignancy has been exluded.

References

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Published

2019-06-27

Issue

Section

Case Reports