J Korean Surg Soc.
2003 Dec;65(6):585-589.
Lymphoepithelial Cyst by the Pancreas
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Surgery, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea. knife@wonkwang.ac.kr
- 2Department of Pathology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.
Abstract
- Cystic lesions of the pancreas are relatively rare, but constitute an important category with a challenging differential diagnosis at the clinical, radiological, and pathological levels. A lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas is a rare, but distinctive cystic lesion, lined by a mature, keratinizing squamous epithelium, surrounded by lymphoid tissue. This type of lesion was first described by Luchtrath and Schriefers, in 1985. Although the histogenesis of this lesion is not known, it is benign. It can be successfully managed by local excision, with a "wait and watch" approach, in selected cases. A 52-year-old female presented with a history of intermittent epigastric pain of 3 months duration. A physical examination and laboratory studies showed no abnormal findings. Computed tomography of the abdomen revealed a 4.5x2.5 cm well circumscribed, thin rim enhanced, unilobulated cystic lesion closely attached to the uncinate process of the pancreas. Endoscopic retrograde chloangiopancreaticography showed no abnormalities in the duct system. A local mass excision was performed, due to the suspected diagnosis of a benign cystic lymphangioma. The histopathological diagnosis was a lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas. The patient was discharged with no complications, on the 8th postoperative day Here, this case is reported with a review of the relevant literature.
