title: EUS-FNA diagnosis of a pancreatic lymphoepithelial cyst: three-year imaging follow-up.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas is a rare benign lesion that should be managed conservatively. Similarity has been described between lymphoepithelial cyst and a branchial cyst of the neck.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a 58-year-old man presenting with left sided abdominal pain initially thought to be renal colic. CT of the abdomen revealed a 3.5 cm lesion in the pancreatic tail. A laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was initially planned for definitive treatment; however, endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) was performed prior to surgery as he had multiple co-morbidities. This confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoepithelial cyst, a benign lesion. Unnecessary high-risk surgery was therefore avoided. Three year follow-up has shown no adverse effects and the lymphoepithelial cyst is unchanged in size and appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EUS-FNA is a reliable method to confidently diagnose lymphoepithelial cyst and therefore should be used to exclude malignancy, thus avoiding unnecessary surgery with potential complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital of Wales. Cardiff, Wales, UK. kfoley@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Kieran G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christian
authors.forename: S Ashley
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D061765:Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed