Ультразвуковая диагностика эктопированной ткани тимуса в щитовидной железе у детей

Present study included 22 participants range in age from 1.5 to 16 years old with ultrasound features of an ectopic thymus in thyroid gland. The lesion structure was typical for the thymus in each case. The location and size of the thymus was normal. The ectopic lesions of thymus in thyroid gland had oval (89.7%) or irregular (10.3%) shape with sharp (100%) and irregular (79.3%) or regular (20.7%) contour, low echogenecity (100%), thin regular linear (100%) in combination with granular hyperechoic (31%) inclusions, avascularity (86.4%) or hypovascularity (13.6%). In 5 lesions larger than 10 mm the diagnosis was confirmed by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The follow-up period was 9–36 months. In one case (the 7-year old boy) with confirmed diagnosis the lesion had been reduced on 34% during the follow up period of 9 months. There were no changes in other patients during the follow-up. We consider it is reasonable to suggest the ectopic thymus in thyroid gland if these ultrasound features are revealed. The lesions of ectopy more than 10 mm require the morphological confirmation. The long follow-up of these patients for expected regression or potential transformation is necessary.