Squamous inclusion cysts are benign lesions which can be developmental or acquired. Developmentally in the fetal period they are formed from abnormal squamous epithelial components of ectodermal tissue. They can also be acquired from trauma or surgery related implanted epithelium [1]. Squamous inclusion cysts have an incidence of 1.6% - 7% in the head and neck region [2]. It can be congenital or acquired. Squamous inclusion cysts are synonymous with epidermoid cysts, epithelial cyst, keratinous cyst, sebaceous cyst, epidermal cyst, milia, epidermal inclusion cyst or the infundibular cyst [3]. Roser first gave the term epidermoid cyst in 1859 [4].

They commonly arise in the sublingual, submental, submandibular region, labial/lingual or buccal mucosa [2]. Involvement of the palatine tonsil is a rare occurrence. Histopathological examination is of utmost importance in every resected tonsil to differentiate benign squamous inclusion cysts from tonsillar squamous cell carcinomas. The objective of this case report is to throw light on a simple case of squamous inclusion cyst of the palatine tonsil and how it can mimic a tumor.

A 59 years old female presented to our ENT outpatient department with history of noticing a mass on the left tonsil along with foreign body sensation in the throat since 1 month, which was insidious in onset and gradually progressive. She also had dry cough for a month. There was no associated pain or difficulty in swallowing. On examination bilateral tonsils were enlarged left side was grade 2 and right was grade 1 in size and not congested. There was a round yellowish cyst on the superior pole of the left palatine tonsil (Figure 1). It was smooth, soft to firm in consistency and did not bleed on touch. Neck examination revealed bilateral jugulo-digastric lymphadenitis, left more than right. Rest of the examination was unremarkable.

A working diagnosis of a tumoral mass on left tonsil under investigation was made. Blood investigations were normal. Patient was offered treatment in the form of an excisional biopsy of the tonsillar mass by undergoing a bilateral tonsillectomy.

Tonsillectomy was done along with excision of the left tonsillar tumor mass (Figure 2).

Specimen was sent for histopathological examination. Patient recovered well post operatively with no complications. Sections from histopathology revealed an epithelial squamous inclusion cyst along with chronic non-specific inflammation of the tonsil, suggestive of chronic tonsillitis (Figure 3).

Patient recovered well post operatively. She was followed up for 6 months and was symptom free with no recurrences. Overall prognosis was good. Patients consent was taken to publish this case report.

The palatine tonsil is a lymphoid tissue present in the pharynx with an external lining of stratified squamous mucosa [5]. The cysts in oral cavity can be epidermoid, dermoid, teratoid [6]. Epidermoid cysts are enclosed and lined by stratified squamous epithelium only. Dermoid cysts contain skin, adnexal structures and teratoid cysts contain ecto, endo or mesodermal structures like muscle, bone, cartilage or fat. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. Recurrence after surgery is rare and malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma is reported but not common [7]. Squamous inclusion cyst is lined by simple squamous epithelium and its wall does not contain skin adnexal structures or fibrous elements [6]. Their etiology is varied, including hormonal influence during puberty to abnormal inclusion of cells during surgery/trauma or development from the epithelial remnants isolated during the closure of first and second branchial arches in the midline [8]. The male to female ratio with diagnosis of squamous inclusion cyst is 1:4 with majority in the age group of 10-35 years [6]. Our patient was a 59 year old female who presented with a mass in the left palatine tonsil. They usually present as an asymptomatic painless slow growing mass [9].

These cysts can be associated with certain hereditary syndromes like Gardner syndrome, basal cell nevus syndrome and pachyonychia congenita [8].

Diagnosis can be confirmed by fine needle aspiration (FNAC) or excisional biopsy [10]. The differential diagnosis of a squamous inclusion cyst are varied from benign lesions like dermoid cysts, lymphoepithelial cysts, hydatid cysts and squamous papilloma to tonsillar carcinoma [6]. Histopathologically we can easily differentiate these entities, hence gross and microscopic examination of every resected tonsillar mass is of utmost importance. Histopathology is the gold standard to rule out malignancy and to confirm the benign nature of tonsillar squamous inclusion cyst. Complications of squamous inclusion cysts are rare, but they include infection, scarring from removal and recurrence. Malignancies are very rare.

The importance of this rare case report is to highlight the rarity of squamous inclusion cyst of the palatine tonsil and the need for histopathological examination in each and every case of tonsillectomy, so as to differentiate between benign and malignant tumors.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Fernandes, V.L.G., Khandolkar, P., Pillai, V.G., Sukhthankar, I.R. and Chari, A.A. (2018) Squamous Inclusion Cyst in the Palatine Tonsil Mimicking a Tumor. International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 7, 249-253. https://doi.org/10.4236/ijohns.2018.75026