Salivary Gland Choristoma of the Middle Ear

Abstract

Choristoma is a mass of tissue histologically normal for an organ or part of the body other than the site at which it is located. A rare case of ectopic salivary gland choristoma in the middle ear is described in a 14-year-old girl whose only symptom was a 55 dB conductive hearing loss. The left middle ear mass appeared whitish and was located behind the intact tympanic membrane. We first suspected it to be congenital middle ear cholesteatoma. Exploratory tympanotomy, however, revealed a salivary gland choristoma that adhered tightly to the facial nerve. Differential diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition are discussed.

Heterotopic salivary gland tissue in the neck

“…5 This rare, frequently congenital lesion typically presents as a draining sinus and/or asymptomatic nodule of the neck along the low anterior SCM. 1,3,6 Additional sites have been reported and include the mandible, 7 middle ear, 8 pituitary, 9 parathyroid, 10 mediastinum, 11 and rectum. 12 Fluid production is typically intermittent, may be associated with eating, and appears clear or saliva-like regardless of the substance ingested.…”

Salivary Gland Choristoma of the Middle Ear

“…Some authors have emphasized the role of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring during biopsy of a choristoma. 23,24 Ossicular reconstruction must be individualized. If ossicular reconstruction is not possible, as in our case, a middle ear implant should be considered.…”

Salivary Gland Choristoma of the Middle Ear and Review of the Literature

“…Most of choristomas are non-neoplastic lesions that do not require excision, unless recent growth is observed in adults or disproportionate growth occurs in childhood, but biopsy is needed for diagnosis [26]. We updated the review conducted by Rinaldo [27] and recent reports [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] of middle ear location.…”