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Inspiratory stridor and dysphagia in two newborn infants caused by ectopic thymus tissue

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Abstract

We report two cases of ectopic cervical thymus, a solid thymic lesion, and a thymus cyst causing inspiratory stridor and mild dysphagia in the neonatal period. Because of the rarity of thymic dystopia, the two masses were initially misdiagnosed as more common entities, namely, lymph node enlargement and lymphangioma, respectively. The correct diagnosis was made only after surgical excision and histopathological examination. This case report is completed by a short review of embryogenic development, diagnostic procedures with differential diagnoses, and therapeutic outcome of ectopic thymus.

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Acknowledgment

We thank Prof. v. Schnakenburg for support and discussion during writing of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Freiburg, Mathildenstrasse 1, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    K. Felgentreff, A. Superti-Furga & M. Pohl

  2. Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    W. Schupp & J. E. Otten

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, University Hospital Freiburg, Hugstetterstrasse 55, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    K. D. Rückauer

  4. Department of Pediatric Radiology, University Hospital Freiburg, Mathildenstrasse 1, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    M. Uhl

  5. Institute of Pathology, Breisacher Strasse 115a, 79106, Freiburg, Germany

    E. Jüttner

Authors
  1. K. Felgentreff
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  2. W. Schupp
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  3. J. E. Otten
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  4. K. D. Rückauer
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  5. M. Uhl
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  6. E. Jüttner
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  7. A. Superti-Furga
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  8. M. Pohl
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Correspondence to K. Felgentreff.

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Felgentreff, K., Schupp, W., Otten, J.E. et al. Inspiratory stridor and dysphagia in two newborn infants caused by ectopic thymus tissue. Eur J Pediatr 168, 1141–1145 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-008-0887-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-008-0887-7

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