Salivary gland heterotopia in the lower neck: a report of five cases.

Heterotopic salivary gland tissue (HSGT) represents an uncommon lesion, usually presenting as a discharging sinus in the base of the neck. Diagnostic criteria and embryogenesis of this entity still remain unclear. For the purpose of clarifying both subjects, all lateral cervical anomalies undergoing surgery during a 12-year period were examined. Histological study showed salivary tissue in 10 out of 119 patients. However, only 5 of them accomplished HSGT criteria. This study presents the second largest series to date of undisputed HSGT in the lower neck. Both accessory glands and branchial cleft anomalies should be distinguished from this lesion. Neoplastic transformation in HSGT, although extremely rare, should also be considered.