Orifices at the Lower Neck: Heterotopic Salivary Glands

Abstract

Heterotopic islands of salivary-gland tissue are rare and have been described in a number of sites in the head and neck. We describe a patient with salivary-gland fistulas in the lower third of the neck, without evidence of any other congenital abnormalities. The appearance of sinuses in association with heterotopic salivary-gland tissue suggests that its embryologic origin may be from the branchial clefts. Surgical treatment is recommended.

Ectopic salivary gland fistula in the sternoclavicular joint region

“…Ectopic salivary gland fistula is a rare, congenital anomaly of the head and neck region. Until now, most reports of ESGF described involvement of the anterior lower neck as in the present case. Although lesions in other locations such as the cheek and hyoid region have been reported, such locations are considered to be quite rare.…”

“…Although lesions in other locations such as the cheek and hyoid region have been reported, such locations are considered to be quite rare. Based on this characteristic location, the origin of the anomaly is thought to lie in the branchial apparatus or embryonic placodal duct…”

“…Although the former have been well‐studied, the congenital cutaneous fistula at the sternoclavicular joint was only recently recognized as a disease, which is considered to be a skin‐side remnant of the 4th branchial cleft . Both are more likely to involve infection, which may enable them to be differentiated from ESGF, which is characterized by intermittent drainage of clear fluid, a fistula opening at the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, and an absence of a history of infection . There are few reports of ESGF with infection, possibly due to the manner of its development or the shortness of the duct.…”

Bilateral Cervical Fistulas from Heterotopic Salivary Gland Tissues

“…There were 9 bilateral cases [6,10,11,12,13,14,15,16]. A summary of these bilateral cases is presented in table 1.…”

An Infrequent Mass of the Middle Ear

“…[4][5][6] Choristomas in the middle ear are extremely rare and are associated with other middle ear deformities; fewer than 30 cases of middle ear salivary gland choristoma have been reported to date.…”