Lingual cyst with gastric epithelium: A clinicopathological and immunohistochemical analysis

Most cystic lesions of the oral cavity are intraosseous and lined by squamous epithelium. Although rare, various developmental cysts occur preferentially in the tongue, lined by dermal, thyroglossal, gastrointestinal or respiratory epithelium. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for these cysts. We report the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical aspects of one lingual cyst lined by gastric epithelium affecting a 1-year-old boy. Immunohistochemical analysis showed similar profile of normal gastric epithelium, except by negativity for CK20, suggesting well-differentiation states. The pathogenesis lingual cyst lined by gastric epithelium remains uncertain, but it is considered they are derived from entrapment of embryonic epithelial rests.