Bilateral lymphoepithelial cysts of the thyroid gland

Oral Lymphoepithelial Cyst: A Collaborative Clinicopathologic Study of 132 Cases from Brazil

The oral lymphoepithelial cyst (OLC) is an uncommon lesion whose pathogenesis remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to report the clinicopathologic features of the OLCs and to verify a possible association between OLCs and subgemmal neurogenous plaque (SNP) in the posterior lateral region of the tongue. A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 106,282 biopsy records of oral and maxillofacial lesions from six oral pathology services in Brazil were analyzed. All cases of OLCs were reviewed, and clinical and histopathological data were collected. Immunohistochemical reactions for S-100 protein were performed to confirm the diagnosis of SNP. Among all lesions, there were 132 (0.11%) cases of OLCs. The series comprised 83 females (62.9%) and 49 males (37.1%), with a 1.7:1 female-to-male ratio and a mean age of 45.8 ± 17.7 years. Most cases involved the tongue (n = 80; 62.0%) and presented clinically as asymptomatic papules or nodules with a yellow or whitish color. Microscopically, most of the cysts were entirely lined by parakeratinized stratified epithelium (n = 89; 67.4%) and filled with desquamated cells, keratin debris, amorphous eosinophilic material, and inflammatory cells in varying amounts. Connection with the epithelium of oral mucosa was observed in 18 cases (13.6%). SNP was found in 9/80 (11.2%) cases involving the tongue. The clinical and demographic features of OLCs were similar to those described in previous studies. Overall, this lesion has a predilection for the posterior region of the tongue of female adults. Clinicians must include the OLC in the differential diagnosis of yellow/white papules and nodules of the oral cavity.

Oral lymphoepithelial cyst: A clinicopathological study of 26 cases and review of the literature

Introduction

Τo describe the clinicopathological features of 26 oral lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) and review the literature.

Material and Methods

Twenty-six cases of oral LECs diagnosed during a 37-year period were retrospectively collected. The patients’ gender and age, as well as the main clinical features of the cysts were retrieved from the requisition forms. The main microscopic features were recorded after reevaluation of all cases. Pubmed and Google Scholar electronic databases were searched with the key word “oral LEC”. Inclusion criteria were the microscopic confirmation of LEC diagnosis and the report at least two of three main clinical features (gender, age and cyst’s location).

Results

The 26 oral LECs represented 0.08% of 31,564 biopsies accessioned during the study period. They affected 25 patients, 14 females and 11 males with a mean age of 33.04±9.81 years. They appeared as smooth (92%) nodules, with soft (24%) or firm (76%) consistency and normal (28%), yellow to normal (20%), yellow (32%) or white (20%) hue, in the tongue (69.23%) or the floor of mouth (30.77%). They were covered by parakeratinized squamous (92.31%) or non-keratinized (7.69%) epithelium and contained desquamated epithelial cells, amorphous eosinophilic material and/or inflammatory cells (100%). The lymphoid tissue surrounded the cystic cavity partially (34.62%) or completely (65.38%), often in a follicular pattern with prominent germinal centers (53.85%). Literature review yielded 316 cases of oral LECs derived from 25 case reports, 3 case studies/retrospective studies with detailed information for each case and 7 studies with summarized data.

Conclusions

Oral LEC is a pathologic entity with discrete clinical presentation that is, however, commonly misdiagnosed in clinical practice as other, mostly benign, entities. Its pathogenesis remains obscure, as its clinicopathologic features are consistent with both theories suggested up to date.

Key words:Oral lymphoepithelial cyst; developmental cyst; non odontogenic cyst; lymphoid tissue; oral tonsil.

Branchial Cleft-Like Cysts Involving 3 Different Organs: Thyroid Gland, Thymus, and Parotid Gland

Branchial cleft cysts (BCCs) are also named lateral cervical cysts and widely acknowledged as being derived from embryonic remnants. Lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) generally show microscopic features that are identical to those of BCCs, and rarely occur at unusual sites or organs.A case of multiple cysts arising in both lobes of the thyroid gland, thymus, and right parotid gland in a 41-year-old man is reported. Clinically, the patient presented with Hashimoto's thyroiditis for about 20 years and had past histories of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and severe respiratory infection.This case is unusual in that multiple cysts arose synchronously and/or heterochronously and grew, increasing their sizes in these different organs. Microscopic examinations revealed that all of the cysts were composed of squamous epithelium, dense lymphoid tissue with germinal centers, and a fibrous capsule. These findings corresponded to those of BCCs or LECs. It is notable that the histopathological features were nearly the same in the individual organs. A review of the literature disclosed no previous such reported cases.The etiology is unknown. However, based upon the similar histopathological features of all the excised specimens, common immune and/or hematopoietic disorders may have contributed to their occurrence and development in association with putative genetic abnormalities.