A Case of Lymphoepithelial Cyst of Palatine Tonsil / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Lymphoepithelial cysts of the oral cavity are rare lesions. The incidence when the number of lymphoepithelial cysts was compared to the total number of oral biopsies was 0.09 percent. Especially, the number of lymphoepithelial cysts originated from palatine tonsil was very small. They have been reported as branchial cleft cysts, branchiogenic cysts and pseudocysts because microscopically resemble each other. The lesions present as a small, well circumscribed, yellowish elevated nodule lined with stratified squamous epithelium surrounded by lymphoid tissue, usually on the floor of the mouth or the ventral or posterolateral surface of the tongue. Less frequent locations include the soft palate, mandibular vestibule, anterior pillar, and retromolar pad. We present a case report of a patient with an lymphoepithelial cyst in the right palatine tonsil presenting with throat discomfort.