Raines J M, Rowe L D
Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1981 Sep-Oct;89(5):723-5. doi: 10.1177/019459988108900505.
Cervical thymic cysts are extremely unusual neoplasms that only rarely produce signs and symptoms of upper airway tract compromise. Less than 7% of patients initially have dyspnea or hoarseness. We report the first known case of progressive neonatal airway obstruction secondary to a rapidly enlarging cervical thymic cyst. Because one half of these benign tumors may demonstrate mediastinal extension, computed axial tomography or B-mode ultrasonography or both is recommended prior to surgical excision. Review of the literature confirms that the majority are successfully removed via a transcervical approach without recurrence.
