Lymphoepithelial cysts of the oral cavity: literature review and report of four cases, one case with coexistence of epidermal cyst

Abstract

Background Lymphoepithelial cysts (LCs) of the oral cavity are uncommon lesions that present as small, raised, painless, and movable submucosal masses. Epidermoid cysts are very rare small lesions with clinical characteristics similar to those of LCs. The aim of the present study was to present 4 cases of oral LC, adding to 144 cases reported in the literature, which are reviewed. In 1 out of 4 cases an epidermoid cyst coexisted. Study design Four cases of LC were retrieved from the files of the Department of Oral Pathology. New serial sections were cut and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and were reviewed. From the histories of the patients the clinical characteristics were recorded and added to those of 144 reported in the literature. Results Analysis of the clinical data showed that the predominant location of oral LC is the floor of the mouth (65.3%), followed by the posterolateral surface of the tongue (13.7%) and the ventral surface of the tongue (9.7%). The age of occurrence ranges between 4 and 81 years and the lesion most often occurs in the third decade of life. There is a slight predilection for males (1.3:1), and the size of the lesion ranges between 1 and 20 mm in diameter and seldom exceeds 15 mm. Conclusion Accidental injury of the oral cavity may induce the formation of epidermoid cysts as well as, in areas when oral tonsils are present, LCs.