TY - JOUR
T1 - Fine-needle aspiration cytology of pancreatic lymphoepithelial cysts
AU - Policarpio-Nicolas, Maria Luisa
AU - Shami, Vanessa M.
AU - Kahaleh, Michel
AU - Adams, Reid B.
AU - Mallery, Shawn
AU - Stanley, Michael W.
AU - Bardales, Ricardo H.
AU - Stelow, Edward B.
PY - 2006/12/25
Y1 - 2006/12/25
N2 - BACKGROUND. Lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) of the pancreas are extremely rare, benign, nonneoplastic cysts that can mimic pseudocysts or cystic neoplasms clinically and radiographically. The cytologic features of LECs have been described only in a handful of case reports and may overlap with both benign and malignant pancreatic tumors. METHODS. The authors conducted a 5-year, retrospective, computerized review of the cytopathology files of 2 institutions for all diagnoses of pancreatic LECs. Clinical, radiographic, cytologic, and chemical findings were reviewed. RESULTS. Four patients were identified. The study group consisted of 3 men and 1 woman who ranged in age from 33 years to 63 years. The masses were located throughout the pancreas. Tumor sizes ranged from 1.8 cm to 5.7 cm in greatest dimension. Smears from all patients revealed numerous anucleated squamous cells, rare benign nucleated cells, amorphous debris, and an absence of lymphocytes. Mildly atypical mucinous glandular and parakeratotic epithelium were identified in 2 patients, leading to diagnoses of atypical and suspicious for malignancy. Subsequent surgical follow-up of 3 patients revealed pancreatic LECs. CONCLUSIONS. Pancreatic LECs are extremely rare, and certain cytologic pitfalls may hinder a correct prospective diagnosis. Familiarity with the lesion's clinical and cytologic features may help clinicians arrive at the appropriate prospective diagnosis and, thus, permit conservative management.
AB - BACKGROUND. Lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) of the pancreas are extremely rare, benign, nonneoplastic cysts that can mimic pseudocysts or cystic neoplasms clinically and radiographically. The cytologic features of LECs have been described only in a handful of case reports and may overlap with both benign and malignant pancreatic tumors. METHODS. The authors conducted a 5-year, retrospective, computerized review of the cytopathology files of 2 institutions for all diagnoses of pancreatic LECs. Clinical, radiographic, cytologic, and chemical findings were reviewed. RESULTS. Four patients were identified. The study group consisted of 3 men and 1 woman who ranged in age from 33 years to 63 years. The masses were located throughout the pancreas. Tumor sizes ranged from 1.8 cm to 5.7 cm in greatest dimension. Smears from all patients revealed numerous anucleated squamous cells, rare benign nucleated cells, amorphous debris, and an absence of lymphocytes. Mildly atypical mucinous glandular and parakeratotic epithelium were identified in 2 patients, leading to diagnoses of atypical and suspicious for malignancy. Subsequent surgical follow-up of 3 patients revealed pancreatic LECs. CONCLUSIONS. Pancreatic LECs are extremely rare, and certain cytologic pitfalls may hinder a correct prospective diagnosis. Familiarity with the lesion's clinical and cytologic features may help clinicians arrive at the appropriate prospective diagnosis and, thus, permit conservative management.
KW - Cyst
KW - Endoscopic ultrasound
KW - Fine-needle aspiration
KW - Lymphoepithelial cyst
KW - Pancreas
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U2 - 10.1002/cncr.22289
DO - 10.1002/cncr.22289
M3 - Review article
C2 - 17063496
AN - SCOPUS:33846141518
SN - 0008-543X
VL - 108
SP - 501
EP - 506
JO - Cancer
JF - Cancer
IS - 6
ER -