1985 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 28-34
The lymphoepithelial cysts (LEC) of the oral cavity are present as asymptomatic, elevated, movable, round, soft and yellow-to-white lesions measuring about 0.1 to 1.0 cm in size. They are most commonly seen on the floor of the oral cavity, and other sites include the postlateral portion of the tongue, the soft palate, the buccal mucosa and lip. It has been reported that the highest frequency occurs between the ages of 20 and 60 years with a mean of 30 years in previous studies [1-4].
The origin of the intraoral LEC is not known, but several theories (BHASKER [2, 5], BERNIER [6] and KNAPP [7, 8]) have been reported.
Histologically, the LEC is completely or partially surrounded by lymphoid tissues which contain plasma cells, lymphocytes and reactive macrophages.
The distributions of IgG, IgA, IgM and C3 on paraffin embedded sections of intraoral LEC and tonsillar crypts have been reported on employing the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method (PAP). TOTO suggested that the lymphoid tissues of the LEC reveal the inflammatory process [9].
Lectins, derived from both plants and animals, have unique ability specific sugar molecules. HOWARD [10] reported PNA binding sites of macrophages in several tissues (lymph nodes and tonsils) as compared with immunohistochemical staining for lysozyme. Hsu and REE pointed out that PNA and Con A binding sites of macrophages were more sensitive after sections were pretreated with trypsin [11-13].
This report is concerned with the identification and the distribution of IgG, IgA, IgM, lysozyme and lectin binding sites in the LEC of the oral cavity and neck. And also, we examined the differences in the findings between the LEC of the oral cavity and neck.
