Significance of ectopic intrathyroidal thymic tissue detected on ultrasound in different paediatric age groups: a proposed classification to guide investigation and management.

Abstract

Ectopic aberrant thymic tissue is most commonly found in the thyroid gland and is increasingly found incidentally due to the widespread use of ultrasound. Correct identification of this benign pathology on ultrasound can avoid the morbidity associated with fine needle aspiration (FNA) and anxiety associated with a possible cancer diagnosis. A case series of 21 children found to have likely intrathyroidal thymic tissue on ultrasound scan of the neck between 2013 and 2024 at the University College London Hospital. Twenty-one children aged between six months and ten years old, 52% male and 48% female. The scans were performed following referral for a neck lump or cervical lymphadenopathy (N = 15), sore throat/cough (N = 4), pre-thyroidectomy scan for a Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia 2 patient (N = 1), and post cystic hygroma excision routine scan (N = 1). These well-defined hypoechoic foci ranged in size from 3 to 14 mm and direct comparison to normal thymic tissue was possible in 19/21 (90%). Three patients (14%) went on to have FNA to rule out papillary thyroid cancer (PTC); other cases had interval scans at median six months to confirm stable appearances.

Conclusion: All patients in our study with intrathyroidal ectopic thymic tissue were younger than 10 years. We suggest a tailored management approach based on the age at presentation, presence of clear thymic tissue for comparison and past/family history. Given that it is unlikely for such tissue to be present in older children, an FNA would be recommended to exclude underlying thyroid cancer in children over 14 years.

What is known: • Intrathyroidal thymic tissue is a common variant that will be increasingly incidentally picked up on ultrasound scans in chlidren.

What is new: • We suggest separation of children with ectopic intrathyroidal thymic tissue into three groups based on age and the ability to compare directly with normal thymic tissue.