Stručni rad

Thyroid lymphoepithelial cyst not associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis - case report

Ivana Pajić Matić ; Opća bolnica "Dr. Josip Benčević" Slavonski Brod, Odjel za otorinolaringologiju, Slavonski Brod, Hrvatska; Fakultet za dentalnu medicinu i zdravstvo Osijek, Hrvatska
Antonija Mišković ; Opća bolnica "Dr. Josip Benčević" Slavonski Brod, Odjel za otorinolaringologiju, Slavonski Brod, Hrvatska
Dino Damjanović ; Opća bolnica "Dr. Josip Benčević" Slavonski Brod, Odjel za otorinolaringologiju, Slavonski Brod, Hrvatska
Ivan Vučković ; Opća bolnica "Dr. Josip Benčević" Slavonski Brod, Odjel za otorinolaringologiju, Slavonski Brod, Hrvatska
Ivana Kolač Damjanović ; Opća bolnica "Dr. Josip Benčević" Slavonski Brod, Odjel za patologiju i citologiju, Slavonski Brod, Hrvatska
Ivo Matić ; Opća bolnica "Dr. Josip Benčević" Slavonski Brod, Odjel za anesteziju, reanimaciju i intenzivno liječenje, Slavonski Brod, Hrvatska; Fakultet za dentalnu medicinu i zdravstvo Osijek, Hrvatska

Sažetak

Introduction: Intrathyroidal lymphoepithelial cyst (TLEC) is an uncommon
benign lesion of the thyroid gland, with less than 50 cases described in literature,
often associated with chronic thyroiditis or other thyroid abnormalities.
Two proposed hypotheses regarding its pathogenesis are branchial cleft origin
and squamous metaplasia. Immunohistochemical analyses of the cyst epithelium
serve as a valuable instrument for distinguishing the cell’s origin, however,
the exact pathogenesis of TLEC is still uncertain. In our case, we demonstrate
that lymphoepithelial cysts can develop within the thyroid gland’s healthy parenchyma,
devoid of chronic inflammatory changes.
Case presentation: We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with a growing
mass in the left lateral neck and signs of compression, dysphagia, dyspnea,
and fatigue. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography revealed a large
solitary cyst measuring 22 x 25 x 36 mm within the left thyroid lobe, with no
other abnormalities noted in the thyroid structure. Left thyroid lobectomy was
performed with an outstanding outcome and no observed complication. Histologically,
the diagnosis of the intrathyroidal lymphoepithelial cyst was made
with no signs of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or other thyroid pathology. After the
definitive diagnosis, a detailed literature search was done by PubMed and
Google Scholar to investigate such a rare disease.
Conclusion: Our case highlights the complexity of TLEC diagnosis. The immunohistochemical analysis suggesting a potential branchial cleft origin challenges
the conventional association with chronic inflammation. Furthermore,
our comprehensive literature review revealed a lack of well-conducted scientific
research regarding its pathogenesis, highlighting the need for standardized
protocols for immunohistochemical staining in suspected cases.

Ključne riječi

thyroid gland; cysts; branchioma; immunohistochemistry; case report

Hrčak ID:

351590

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/351590

Datum izdavanja:

7.10.2026.

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