Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas. Report of two cases and review of the literature.
CONCLUSIONS
Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas (LC) is a very rare benign lesion and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Conservative surgery seems to be the appropriate therapy in symptomatic patients or when a precise preoperative diagnosis is not achieved. The benign behavior of all reported cases suggests that the asymptomatic patients with a certain morphological preoperative diagnosis might be clinically followed up. The histogenesis of LC remains to be elucidated.


BACKGROUND
LC of the pancreas is a cyst that is histologically characterized by a fibrous tissue, a lymphoid component and a lining squamous epithelium.


METHODS
Clinical and pathological findings of two personal cases are reported with review of the literature.


RESULTS
A 56-yr-old man, complaining of epigastric pain, and a 47-yr-old man, with a history of alcohol abuse, were admitted to hospital. In both cases the lesion was detected with abdominal ultrasound but a certain diagnosis was obtained only after histological examination of the resected cysts.
Iacono
C
C
Department of Surgery, University of Verona, Italy.
Cracco
N
N
Zamboni
G
G
Bernardello
F
F
Zicari
M
M
Marino
F
F
Montresor
E
E
Serio
G
G
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008210:Lymphocele / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery