J Korean Soc Radiol.  2010 Dec;63(6):491-494.

MR Imaging of Lymphoepithelial Carcinoma in the Posterior Cervical Space: A Case Report

• Lee SH
• Cheong KW
• Hong YO

Abstract

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma is a rare category of malignant neoplasm that consists of undifferentiated malignant epithelial cells admixed with lymphocytes. Lymphoepithelial carcinoma predominantly occurs in the upper aero-digestive tract and only few cases of metastasis in the posterior cervical space have currently been reported. We report here on a case of lymphoepithelial carcinoma in the posterior cervical space.

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma
Epithelial Cells
Lymphocytes
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
Neck
Neoplasm Metastasis

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The MR imaging reveals a well-defined mass with a lobulated contour in the left posterior cervical space. A, B. On the coronal (A) and sagittal (B) T2-weighted fast spin-echo MR images, the mass shows slightly higher signal intensity than the surrounding muscle and intra-tumoral microtubular cystic clefts (arrows). C. The axial T1-weighted spin-echo MR image shows an isointense mass (arrows) relative to the surrounding muscle. D. The gadolinium-enhanced axial fat suppressed T1-weighted spin-echo MR image shows the slightly heterogeneous enhancement of the mass (arrows) without central necrosis or an enhancing capsule.

• 

  Fig. 2 The gross photography of the specimen (A) shows multiple dilated lymphovascular channels (arrows) in the tumor. The microscopic examination (B) shows islands of undifferentiated carcinoma cells admixed with many small lymphocytes and plasma cells (H & E staining, ×400).

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