Progressive Neonatal Airway Obstruction Secondary to Cervical Thymic Cyst

Abstract

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.