Bilateral lymphoepithelial cyst of the tongue: a case report

A lymphoepithelial cyst (LC) is a rare occurrence in the oral cavity, lined by a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium that is surrounded by diffuse lymphoid tissue, that often contains lymphoid follicles. The clinical aspect of oral LC includes an asymptomatic yellowish nodule (less than 10 mm) with regular surface and soft consistency. It usually affects the floor of the mouth and the ventral and posterolateral surfaces of the tongue in adult male patients. To date, approximately 280 cases of LC in the oral cavity have been reported in the literature; however, none of them appear bilaterally. This article presents the histopathological and immunohistochemical findings of a unique bilateral LC in the posterolateral region of the tongue.