J Korean Radiol Soc.  1998 Jan;38(1):185-187. 10.3348/jkrs.1998.38.1.185.

Ultrasonographic and CT findings of Cervical Ectopic Thymus of an Infant

• Lee YI
• Kim YT
• Kim IY
• Park KB

• KMID: 2103073
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1998.38.1.185

Abstract

We report a case of ectopic thymus in the left submandibular area of a two-month-old boy. On US and CT scans, a well-marginated, 3 x 2cm-sized solid mass along the left carotid sheath, anteromedial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle and posterior to the submandibular gland, was seen. CT attenuation of the mass showed that it was similar to that of normal thymus in the anterior mediastinum. Although a rare disease, ectopic thymus should be included in the differential diagnosis of cervical masses along the carotid sheath in infants.

Keyword

Thymus, CT; Thymus, US; Infants, newborn, endocrine glands; Ultrasound(US), in infants and children

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Infant*
Male
Mediastinum
Rare Diseases
Submandibular Gland
Thymus Gland*
Tomography, X-Ray Computed