Ectopic thymoma managed by neck dissection & video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy

Abstract

Ectopic thymoma in the neck is a rare phenomenon, with fewer than 20 cases reported worldwide. Evidence for management of ectopic thymoma comes from literature for mediastinal thymoma despite clinical features that distinguish the two. Here we present a case of a 31-year-old female with an asymptomatic neck mass who was found to have an ectopic cervical thymoma with concomitant mediastinal thymic hyperplasia. The decision was made to perform a left-sided neck dissection and a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy. We suggest that this approach be considered for a minimally invasive management of this rare but important condition.