Abstract

Abstract Background/Aims Benign lymphoepithelial lesions are swellings of salivary glands caused by a reactive lymphoid infiltrate with follicular hyperplasia, obliterating the acinar glands and causing proliferation and disruption of the ductal epithelium. These have been described in HIV, lymphoma and Sjögren's syndrome. We report a case series with mixed connective tissue disease/Sjögren's syndrome and reviewed the literature with similar presentations in order to highlight this unusual manifestation. Methods Index patient: A 25-year-old lady presented with a history of arthralgia, fatigue and Raynaud's 3 years ago and was diagnosed by rheumatologist to have MCTD with ANA showing U1RNP, Ro positive and histones antibody positive. She was managed with mycophenolate and improved. A year ago she developed parotitis which improved with antibiotics. She recently came to the outpatient department with painful swelling in the parotid region. Blood counts remain normal, ESR 36 mm/hr , CRP 6 mg/dl, ACE level, HIV screening normal. MRI parotid showed bilateral multiple lymphoepitheial cysts in the parotid glands. Opinion was obtained from oncology and the ENT surgeon. No evidence of malignancy was found. In view of this, consensus opinion among rheumatologists was to stop mycophenolate and give 2gm rituximab. We also reviewed 10 cases of benign lymphoepithelial cyst arising in the parotid region in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome negative patients. Cases were from 8 published articles plus the three cases of benign lymphoepithelial cyst in a mixed connective tissue disease/Sjögren's syndrome in AIDS negative patients reported in Table 1. Most of the patients had been treated surgically, however, immune therapy is sufficient. Results: Conclusion Benign lymphoepitheial cysts have been described in patients with sarcoidosis, HIV, cancer and CTD. Our patients had features of MCTD with Sjögren's syndrome and manifested with benign lymphoepithelial cysts in the parotids, which is very unusual. Parotid swelling in connective tissue disease requires evaluation and multidisciplinary input. Benign lymphoepithelial cysts will not require any surgery; once malignancy is excluded, they will require modification of immune therapy. Disclosure N. Palaniappan: None. S. Nallasivan: None.

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