title: Lymphoepithelial cyst of pancreas: spectrum of radiological findings with pathologic correlation.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to investigate imaging features as well as pathologic and clinical findings of lymphoepithelial cyst (LEC) of pancreas.
  
  
  
  Ten patients with surgically resected and pathologically proven LEC, found in a single institution database between 2000 and 2015, were evaluated in a retrospective fashion. Patients' demographics, clinical presentation, co-morbidities, imaging features, cytology and histopathology results, and serum/aspirate biomarkers levels were recorded.
  
  
  
  Eighty percent of patients were male with median age of 59. All lesions were exophytic, with median size of 36 mm. 80% were classified as complex cystic lesions, showing enhancing septa or enhancing rim without measurable enhancing solid component. 80% were located in tail or body. In one patient with MRI, the lesion was mildly T1 hyperintense and markedly T2 hyperintense. All cases were anechoic or hypoechoic on EUS, and majority of them showed posterior acoustic enhancement. Of patients with available fluid aspirate analysis, 3 out of 4 had CEA level > 192 ng/mL and 1 out of 3 had elevated (>250 IU/ml) amylase level. Four out of 7 patients had elevated serum CA 19-9 levels (>37 U/mL); one patient with a value of 361 U/mL had co-existing pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  
  Round shape, mild complexity, and exophytic location in pancreatic body and tail can be suggestive of LECs. These features however are not specific and may be seen with other cystic pancreatic lesions. CT findings should be used in conjunction with EUS, cytology, and tumor marker studies to secure the diagnosis of LEC.
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Imaging, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian, Radiology Suite 200 East Wing, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA. borhaniaa@upmc.edu.
authors.forename: Amir A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Borhani
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Kenneth E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Fasanella
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Imaging, Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian, Radiology Suite 200 East Wing, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Negaur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Iranpour
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgical Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 5150 Centre Ave, Suite 421, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA.
authors.forename: Amer H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Zureikat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 200 Lothrop Street, Scaife Hall A616.2, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Aatur D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Singhi
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Imaging, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian, Radiology Suite 200 East Wing, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furlan
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Imaging, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, UPMC Presbyterian, Radiology Suite 200 East Wing, 200 Lothrop Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Dasyam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010181:Pancreatic Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D035583:Rare Diseases; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Benign pancreatic cyst; Lymphoepithelial cyst; Pancreatic cystic lesion