OBJECTIVE: To clarify imaging and clinicopathologic features of lymphoepithelial cysts (LEC), a benign lesion of the pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two male patients with LECs that were found incidentally and proven surgically were reviewed. RESULTS: Sonography revealed a hypoechoic mass in both cases, one of which had septation and an intracystic isoechoic component within it. The mass was shown as low attenuation on unenhanced CT, and the intracystic solid component was not enhanced by dynamic CT or computed tomographic arteriography. One lesion had calcifications around the mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyper- in hypointensity on T1-weighted imaging and hypo- in hyper- on T2-weighted imaging in one case. Both lesions were located on the surface of the head of the pancreas, and the main pancreatic ducts appeared normal on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Both patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: These imaging and clinical findings suggest LEC, which should be considered when one encounters cystic lesions of the pancreas.
OBJECTIVE: To clarify imaging and clinicopathologic features of lymphoepithelial cysts (LEC), a benign lesion of the pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two male patients with LECs that were found incidentally and proven surgically were reviewed. RESULTS: Sonography revealed a hypoechoic mass in both cases, one of which had septation and an intracystic isoechoic component within it. The mass was shown as low attenuation on unenhanced CT, and the intracystic solid component was not enhanced by dynamic CT or computed tomographic arteriography. One lesion had calcifications around the mass. Magnetic resonance imaging showed hyper- in hypointensity on T1-weighted imaging and hypo- in hyper- on T2-weighted imaging in one case. Both lesions were located on the surface of the head of the pancreas, and the main pancreatic ducts appeared normal on endoscopic retrograde pancreatography. Both patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: These imaging and clinical findings suggest LEC, which should be considered when one encounters cystic lesions of the pancreas.
Authors: Pablo Capitanich; Mario L Iovaldi; Mario Medrano; Patricio Malizia; Javier Herrera; Francisco Celeste; Luis A R Boerr; Carlos Moran Obiol; Norberto A Mezzadri Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2004 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 3.452