Ectopic salivary gland tissue in palatine tonsil: a case report and review of literature

ABSTRACT

A case of ectopic salivary gland tissue in a routine tonsillectomy specimen is reported and the literature is reviewed. Tonsillectomy specimens are routinely sent for histopathologic evaluation to assess the nature of inflammatory process as well as to exclude occult malignancy. A tonsillectomy specimen from a young woman who underwent surgery for recurrent attacks of tonsillitis in the previous six months was received at the histopathology laboratory of Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman. Routine microscopic examination revealed tonsilar tissue with chronic inflammation and lobules of mucous secreting salivary acini with ducts adjacent to the surface squamous epithelium of the tonsilar tissue