Benign lymphoepithelial cyst of unusual location: A case report

Abstract

Benign lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) are rare lesions that can be found in the lateral neck or in the parotid glands. A 52-year-old woman presented to our clinic with a slowly growing mass of the left malar region. MRI was obtained showing a cystic lesion lying between the mandibular ramus medially, the masseter muscle laterally and the parotid gland posteriorly. The lesion was surgically removed. Complete resection of the cystic lesion was done with preservation of the facial nerve. Histopathology study confirmed the diagnosis of lymphoepithelial cyst. No recurrence was found at 6 months follow up. To our knowledge, it is the first reported case of an intra-masseteric lymphoepithelial cyst. Surgical removal of deep facial lesions can be very delicate and tedious especially when preservation of facial nerve is a priority.