Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2004 Aug;47(8):798-801.

Two Cases of Salivary Gland Choristoma of the Middle Ear

• Chang SO
• Choi BY
• Kim CH
• Kim CS

Abstract

Salivary gland choristoma (ectopic or heterotopic salivary gland tissue) is a rare condition that occurs in various locations within the head and neck regions. A choristoma is a non-neoplastic proliferation of histologically normal tissue that forms at an abnormal site. It appears to be a developmental abnormality and may be associated with abnormalities of adjacent structures. Salivary gland choristoma in the middle ear usually occurs with unilateral conductive hearing loss and requires a differential diagnosis from other mass lesions in the middle ear cavity. Because the lesions commonly involve the facial nerve, intraoperative facial nerve monitoring is helpful for allowing safe biopsy without facial nerve damage. We present two cases of salivary gland choristoma in the middle ear with a review of the literature.

Keyword

Choristoma; Middle ear; Salivary glands

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Choristoma*
Diagnosis, Differential
Ear, Middle*
Facial Nerve
Head
Hearing Loss, Conductive
Neck
Salivary Glands*