Hibernoma in the parotid region.

Hibernoma is a benign tumour, arising from vestigial remnants of brown adipose cells, which have persisted from embryonic life. Although it is a well recognized entity, it is an extremely rare tumour. Recent reports estimate 81 cases in the world literature, only seven being in the neck. To our knowledge, it has never been reported in the parotid region. We report such a case and discuss the historical background of a hibernoma, along with its pathological and clinical behaviour.