Purpose or Case Report: In pediatric radiology practices, we commonly encounter benign developmental aberrancies, such as urachal remnants, thyroglossal duct remnants, and branchial cleft anomalies. Understanding the embryological development and typical imaging appearances of these conditions streamlines the work-up and sometimes obviates surgical intervention. Although seen less commonly, this holds true for ectopic thymic tissue as well. In this presentation, we review the normal embryological development of the thymus with special attention to the course of the thymopharyngeal duct. We then review imaging cases resulting from aberrancies in this developmental process, such as an intra-thyroidal thymic rest, superior cervical extension of the thymus, and a thymopharyngeal duct cyst. In sharing these cases, we hope to improve familiarity with these benign developmental variants, and in doing so, to help optimize care for patients with these findings.
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