[Epidermoid cyst of the spleen. Presentation of a case]

Cystic lesions of the spleen are unusual. They are classified essentially as: parasitic or nonparasitic, based on their etiology, and true or pseudo based on the presence or absence of lining epithelium. The pathogenesis of true cysts is unknown and numerous hypotheses are given by different Authors. After a short review of the literature, the Authors describe the clinical and pathological data of a case of epithelial (epidermoid) splenic cyst occurs in a 12-year-old woman. The Authors put forward some personal observations on pathogenesis, still doubtful, by means of histochemical and immunohistochemical study.