| Affiliation: | 1. Division of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, The Montreal Children''s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada;2. Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, The Montreal Children''s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada;3. Division of Pediatric Radiology, The Montreal Children''s Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Abstract: | ![]()
Background/PurposeIntrathyroidal thymic tissue may be misinterpreted as a thyroid lesion in children, leading to invasive tests or resection. We sought to describe the characteristic imaging features of these lesions and to evaluate the safety of non-operative management.MethodsA retrospective review of all patients less than 18 years old with intrathyroidal thymic tissue from 2000 to 2016 was performed. Data collection included patient demographics, imaging results, interventions, and outcomes.ResultsEleven patients were identified using institutional radiology and pathology databases. Median patient age and lesion size at presentation were 5 years old (range 2 to 8 years old) and 0.9 cm (range 0.4 to 9.2 cm), respectively. Six lesions were incidentally identified, six were left-sided, and the most common location was the lower pole. Ultrasonographic features were reproducible and included well demarcated (10/11), hypoechoic lesions (11/11), containing punctate/linear internal echoes (11/11), and occasional mild hypervascularity (6/11). All cases demonstrated interval size and echotexture stability over a median surveillance period of 3 years (range 1 to 8 years). While 9 patients were simply observed, the first patient in this series underwent excision, while another had a fine needle aspiration to confirm pathology.Level of EvidenceStudy of diagnostic test, Level IV.ConclusionIntrathyroidal thymic tissue has typical clinical and sonographic characteristics which allow for appropriate diagnosis and avoids thyroid resection. |
