CERVICAL THYMIC CYST - CASE-REPORTS AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Due to its rarity, cervical thymic cyst is seldom included in the diff erential diagnosis of a neck mass. Approximately 80 cases have been re ported thus far, and most of these cases have occurred asymptomaticall y in children and adults. Only 5 cases have involved patients younger than 1 year of age. The authors report four new patients with thymic c yst in the neck. Two of the patients were newborns in whom the cyst ca used airway obstruction and dysphagia. All four patients underwent suc cessful resection of the lesions, with complete resolution of symptoms . The embryology, histopathology, and differential diagnosis of cervic al thymic cysts are also reviewed. The authors recommend that despite its infrequent occurrence, cervical thymic cyst should be considered i n the evaluation of neck masses in children.