Lymphoepithelial Cyst

The wall of lymphoepithelial cyst shows lymphoid proliferation with germinal center formation (as seen in this image). The lymphoid population consists of mature B (CD20+ve) and T cells (CD3+ve). In-situ hybridization for EBV virus and the P24 antigen for HIV expression is negative. The differential diagnosis of LEC includes a variety of benign and malignant lesions in the parotid gland. The benign entities include cystic lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA), HIV-associated cystic lymphoepithelial lesions and Warthin’s tumor. The malignant lesions which can mimic LEC are cystic mucoepidermoid carcinoma and metastatic cystic squamous cell carcinoma.