Three cases of a cervical lymphoepithelial cyst

Abstract

Three cases of cervical lymphoepithelial cysts were reported. The first case was a 61 year-old female with a tumor in the right lateral cervical region. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a typical cystic pattern. The histopathological diagnosis was lymphoepithelial cyst (so called branchial cyst) and it was in accordance with the clinical diagnosis. The second case, a 53 year-old female, had a large mass from the left parotid region to the lateral cervical region. Preoperative ultrasonographic examination revealed the co-existence of a solid and cystic pattern. Clinical diagnosis was a parotid tumor. Histologic examination of the extirpated specimen revealed that the cystic region was a lymphoepithelial cyst and the solid region was a foreign body granuloma. The third case was a 55 year-old female who had a tumor at the right submandibular region. From the results of ultrasonographic and CT examinations a cyst was suggested. But the sialogram of the submandibular gland and the site of the lesion suggested a tumor. The pathological diagnosis was a lymphoepithelial cyst. Ultrasonograms accurately showed the inner nature of the lesions in all cases.