Intrathyroidal thymic tissue mimicking a thyroid nodule in a 4-year-old child

J Clin Ultrasound. 2013 Jun;41(5):319-20. doi: 10.1002/jcu.21930. Epub 2012 Apr 25.

Abstract

A 4 year-old girl was referred for CT of her neck for suspected submental lymphadenopathy and was found to have an incidental low-attenuation thyroid mass. Subsequent thyroid ultrasound showed a heterogeneous thyroid mass with punctate areas of increased echogenicity. Cytologic examination was consistent with ectopic intrathyroidal thymic nodule. We review the presentation of ectopic thymic tissue, especially in the thyroid gland.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy, Fine-Needle
  • Child, Preschool
  • Choristoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Thymus Gland*
  • Thyroid Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Ultrasonography