title: Lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas: cytomorphology and differential diagnosis on fine-needle aspiration (FNA).
abstract: Lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of the pancreas is an extremely rare benign entity. We describe the cytopathologic findings of such a lesion in a 49-yr-old woman who was examined for epigastric pain. A trans-esophageal ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of a pancreatic mass disclosed an intimate mixture of squamous epithelial cells and small, mature lymphocytes in a background of keratinaceous debris, anucleate squames, and multinucleated histiocytes. On histopathologic examination, a subsequent resection showed a multiloculated cystic lesion with a stratified squamous epithelial lining surrounded by well-formed lymphoid tissue, suggestive of LEC. The differential diagnosis includes other pancreatic pseudocysts, dermoid cyst, mucinous cystic neoplasms, adenosquamous carcinoma, and metastatic squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: John K. Frost Cytopathology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland 21287-6940, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mandavilli
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Port
authors.forename: S Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Ali
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010179:Pancreas / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery