Heterotopic salivary gland tissue: a case report demonstrating evolution and association with the branchial apparatus

Heterotopic salivary gland tissue (HSGT) in the lower neck is an unusual developmental anomaly with characteristic clinical and microscopic findings. The exact embryogenesis remains unclear. This rare entity must be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck mass with fistula. We present a typical HSGT totally removed using the stepladder excision technique and showing an internal fistula. Interpretation of this case from the anatomical and pathological points of view, we support the argument that the embryogenesis of HSGT is more probably related to ectodermal heteroplasia of the precervical sinus of His and further conclude that an association with branchial cleft sinus may exist and cannot be seen as an exclusion criteria for diagnosis of HSGT. Due to possible but infrequent neoplastic transformation, it is important to check HSGT in every encountered cervical anomaly related to any branchial apparatus derived lesion.