Open AccessThymic Hyperplasia With Lymphoepithelial Sialadenitis (LESA)–like Features
Author(s) -
Annikka Weissferdt,
César A. Moran
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.859
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1943-7722
pISSN - 0002-9173
DOI - 10.1309/ajcpm6w5mhzmuzrs
Subject(s) - pathology , sialadenitis , germinal center , immunohistochemistry , population , lymphoma , lymphoid hyperplasia , hyperplasia , biology , salivary gland , medicine , b cell , immunology , antibody , environmental health
Four cases of an unusual type of thymic hyperplasia strongly resembling lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA) of the salivary glands are described. The patients were 2 men and 2 women aged 37 to 53 years. On histologic examination, abundant lymphoid tissue with lymphoid follicles containing germinal centers and areas of plasma cell infiltration were seen. The epithelial component consisted of a proliferation of Hassall corpuscles and islands of thymic epithelial cells. Cystic changes and lymphoepithelial lesions were identified in all cases, but a monocytoid B-cell population was absent. On immunohistochemical examination, a mixed B- and T-cell population was identified, and polymerase chain reaction performed in 1 case showed polyclonality. Follow-up revealed that all patients were alive 5 months to 9 years after diagnosis. The cases in this series represent a distinct type of thymic hyperplasia that histologically strongly resembles LESA. The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features are presented, and a possible relationship with thymic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is discussed.