Cartilaginous Choristoma of the Tonsil: Three Case Reports

Choristoma is defined as the presence of cells in abnormal locations due to defects during embryological development. The word choristoma implies a neoplasm; whereas heterotopia refers to a displaced tissue without necessarily being a swelling or a neoplasm. Literature contains reports of cartilaginous choristoma in the cervix, endometrium, breast tissue, and oral region.

Three cases of cartilaginous choristoma, which were accidentally found during microscopic examination of excised tonsil tissues, are presented.

Choristomas may cause difficulty in the differential diagnosis of true neoplasms, since they are rare and may grow. Therefore pathologists should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cartilaginous lesions, because cartilaginous choristomas of the tonsil are a rare entity.