Lymph nodes & spleen, nonlymphoma

Spleen-cysts

Epithelial cyst



Last author update: 1 October 2012
Last staff update: 5 October 2020

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PubMed Search: Epithelial cyst[TIAB] spleen

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Cite this page: Mansouri J. Epithelial cyst. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/spleenepithelialcysts.html. Accessed September 29th, 2023.
Definition / general
  • Usually children or young adults
  • Solitary or multiple; may be associated with accessory spleen
  • May mimic mucinous cystic neoplasm if in intrapancreatic accessory spleen
  • Called "epithelioid" / "epidermoid" if squamous lining
  • Origin unknown; may derive from metaplasia in mesothelial cysts (Am J Surg Pathol 1988;12:275)
  • Often large and requires splenectomy
Case reports
  • 62 year old man with epidermoid cyst in intrapancreatic accessory spleen (JOP 2011;12:279)
Gross description
  • Glistening inner surface with marked trabeculation
Microscopic (histologic) description
  • Lined by squamous, columnar, cuboidal or mesothelial-like epithelium
  • No skin adnexae
  • Rarely mucinous and associated with pseudomyxoma peritonei
Positive stains
Differential diagnosis
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