PEDIATRIC NECK MASS THYMOPHARYNGEAL DUCT CYST

Neck masses in children are common issues. Differential diagnosis includes infectious, congenital and neoplastic. In this article, the researchers have presented a case presentation of an unusual neck mass. A 7-year-old boy presented with a history of left anterolateral neck mass noticed with a clinical impression of venolymphatic malformation versus branchial cleft cyst. The 1-year back radiological evaluation revealed a picture of thymopharyngeal duct cyst. Thymus develops in the neck from the 3rd pharyngeal pouch and descends to anterior superior mediastinum forming a tract, thymopharyngeal stalk that obliterates embryologically. Failure obliteration results in thymic remnant and thymopharyngeal duct cyst, which can be presented in childhood as lateral neck mass. The thymopharyngeal duct cyst can be best managed by complete surgical excision. Keywords: Neck masses, Venolymphatic malformation, Thymopharyngeal duct, Thymic remnant