Intrathyroidal Ectopic Thymus: The Trick of the Trade
Authors' conclusion
IET should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric thyroid nodules especially in the first years of life.
Study context
- Population
- Children <18 years with thyroid nodules classified EU-TIRADS ≥3, tertiary pediatric endocrinology service, 2015–202510 presumed intrathyroidal ectopic thymus (IET)
- Participants
- 21 children
- Outcome
- Occurrence and characteristics of IET
Methodological detailssingle-centre, tertiary pediatric endocrinology centre
- Single-centre
- Tertiary pediatric endocrinology centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Children with EU-TIRADS ≥3 nodules presumed to have IET
- 10
- Median age of children with EU-TIRADS ≥3 nodules (years)
- 10.6 (0.55-15)
- Mean age of IET patients (years)
- 6.19 ± 3.93
- Males among IET patients
- 50%
- Normal thyroid function
- 9 patients
- Subclinical hypothyroidism, resolved during follow-up
- 1 patient
- Surgery or fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) in IET patients
- 0
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Intrathyroidal Ectopic Thymus: The Trick of the Trade. Horm Res Paediatr. Published 5 September 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →