Korean J Pathol.  1996 Nov;30(11):1057-1059.

Intraabdominal Heterotopic Thymus: Report of an autopsy case

• Han HS
• Chi JG

Abstract

Ectopic thymus results from the aberrant migration of thymic tissue and is mostly present in the mediastinum, the base of the skull, the tracheal bifurcation and the cervical region. We report the first case of intraabdominal heterotopic thymus incidentally detected and attached to the liver without associated anomalies. This fetus was sent to the Department without any clinical information. The fetus was small for gestational age, but had no external abnormalities. Each organ showed normal development except for the liver. The liver weighed 6 gm(normal 17.064+/-4.143 gm). Gray white heterotopic thymus was attached to the superior surface of the liver in the subdiaphragmatic area. It measured 1.1x0.6x0.5 cm. There was no diaphragmatic defect. The cervical thymic tissue near the thyroid was small and measured 0.2 gm(normal 0.927+/-0.485 gm). There was no thymic tissue in the anterior superior mediastinum. The histologic features of the heterotopic thymus were identical to the orthotopic thymus showing features appropriate for the gestational age. The origin of this subdiaphragmatic heterotopic thymus is speculated.

Keyword

Heterotopic thymus; Intraabdominal; Autopsy; Fetus; Thymus