Presentation
Incidental finding.
Patient Data
Age: 3 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Ectopic thymus - intrathyroidal
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The thyroid gland shows normal size with a small well-defined ovoid solid hypoechoic nodule of the left lobe containing numerous internal non-shadowing hyperechoic foci, which is typical of a normal echotexture of the thymus gland.
Case Discussion
Ultrasound features of an ectopic thymic tissue of intrathyroidal location, mimicking thyroid nodule.
Ectopic thymic tissue within the thyroid gland is considered a rare congenital variant, usually discovered incidentally. It should not be confused with a thyroid nodule in the pediatric population to avoid unnecessary biopsy +/- surgery. The key to diagnosis is the ultrasound appearance which is similar to that of the normal thymus gland.
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