Presentation
Data related to clinical presentation, radiological imaging, pathology, and management were collected. Changes in lesion volume were tracked over time. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Clinically, between 2 and 13 years of age, ectopic thymus presents as a painless neck mass, secondary to hyperplasia (like in the normal thymus gland). Ectopic thymus rarely determinates symptoms of compression of adjacent cervical structures. [arts.units.it]
They are possibly present in up to 20% of humans (Goldstein and Mackey, 1969; Gilmour,… [semanticscholar.org]
We adopted a watch-and-wait approach with ultrasound follow-up (mean 2.2 years; range 0.83-4) in all patients except in a 7-year-old boy who presented uncertain findings and underwent surgery, confirming IET in the pathological study.Conclusions: Thymic [revistaschilenas.uchile.cl]
Entire Body System
- Thyroid Nodule
Radiologic imaging and biopsy (especially in cases of intra-thyroidal nodules) help to determine the nature of the mass. If ectopic thymus is definitively diagnosed before surgery, it can be treated conservatively. [arts.units.it]
The ultrasound characteristics of the lesions (location, laterality, size and shape), the indication of the ultrasound scan and the follow-up time were analyzed.Results: Of 147 patients with thyroid nodules, we identified 12 children with lesions suggestive [revistaschilenas.uchile.cl]
- Asymptomatic
In asymptomatic cases surgery is not mandatory because there is no convincing evidence of malignant degeneration and bleeding is very rare and typical of adulthood. A spontaneous involution of thymic tissue after puberty is expected. [arts.units.it]
Treatment
Pediatricians and radiologists should be aware of this entity to differentiate it from other thyroid lesions, avoiding unnecessary studies and/or treatments in these patients. [revistaschilenas.uchile.cl]