Introduction
Pancreatic cysts are broadly categorized as neoplastic intraductal
papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN),
serous cystic neoplasm (SCN), and non-neoplastic (pancreatic
pseudocysts, lymphoepithelial cysts, epidermoid cysts, and dermoid
cysts). In addition, there are pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNET),
in which the tumor has degenerated into cysts. International clinical
practice guidelines for pancreatic cystic tumors include the
International Association of Pancreatology (IAP)
guidelines,1 European expert consensus
statements,2 and the American Gastroenterological
Association (AGA) guidelines.3 However, there are no
guidelines for pancreatic pseudocysts and no clear diagnostic criteria
have been established. Pancreatic lymphoepithelial cysts (LECs) are rare
benign lesions and were initially described by Luchtrath and Schriefers
in 1985.4 In 1987, Truong proposed to call it a
lymphoepithelial cyst.5 The cysts are typically
observed in middle-aged and elderly men; they occur equally in the
pancreatic head, body, or tail, and may present as a single or
multilocular lesion. This study presents the case of a patient with a
LEC in the pancreatic accessory spleen. This is the first such instance
being documented. We believe that our report is valuable as it is the
first of its kind on LEC in the pancreatic accessory spleen.
Furthermore, the exposure and knowledge acquired through it will enable
the development of international diagnostic criteria for LECs and
similar epidermoid cysts and dermoid cysts in the future.