Epidermoid cyst localized in the palatine tonsil

Abstract

Epidermoid and dermoid cysts are benign, developmental lesions that can be encountered anywhere in the body. Our literature search did not result in a finding of any report of an epidermoid cyst located in the palatine tonsils. This is a report of a 42-year-old female patient who underwent a tonsillectomy for diagnostic purposes because of an epidermoid cyst arising from the tonsil which was confirmed by histology.

Squamous Inclusion Cyst in the Palatine Tonsil Mimicking a Tumor

“…The palatine tonsil is a lymphoid tissue present in the pharynx with an external lining of stratified squamous mucosa [5]. The cysts in oral cavity can be epidermoid, dermoid, teratoid [6]. Epidermoid cysts are enclosed and lined by stratified squamous epithelium only.…”

“…Recurrence after surgery is rare and malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma is reported but not common [7]. Squamous inclusion cyst is lined by simple squamous epithelium and its wall does not contain skin adnexal structures or fibrous elements [6]. Their etiology is varied, including hormonal influence during puberty to abnormal inclusion of cells during surgery/trauma or development from the epithelial remnants isolated during the closure of first and second branchial arches in the midline [8].…”

“…Their etiology is varied, including hormonal influence during puberty to abnormal inclusion of cells during surgery/trauma or development from the epithelial remnants isolated during the closure of first and second branchial arches in the midline [8]. The male to female ratio with diagnosis of squamous inclusion cyst is 1:4 with majority in the age group of 10-35 years [6]. Our patient was a 59 year old female who presented with a mass in the left palatine tonsil.…”

“…Diagnosis can be confirmed by fine needle aspiration (FNAC) or excisional biopsy[10]. The differential diagnosis of a squamous inclusion cyst are varied from benign lesions like dermoid cysts, lymphoepithelial cysts, hydatid cysts and squamous papilloma to tonsillar carcinoma[6]. Histopathologically we can easily differentiate these entities, hence gross and microscopic examination of every resected tonsillar mass is of utmost importance.…”

A Rare Case Report of Epidermoid Cyst in Palatine Tonsil

“…pidermoid cysts (ECs), also named as epidermal, epithelial, keratinous, sebaceous, milia, epidermal inclusion cyst or infundibular cysts are benign lesions developing from abnormal epithelial components of ectodermal tissue formed during the fetal period (congenital), or implanted epithelium arising after surgery or trauma (acquired). 1,2 But there is no developmental or histologic difference between these two types of causes. 3 These lesions, consist in the head and neck area in approximately 7% and their incidence in the oral cavity makes up for 1.6% of the total cases and they compose less than 0.01% of all the cystic lesions of the oral cavity.…”