Ectopic salivary tissue of the mandibular condyle: A case report and review of the literature

Abstract Primary ectopic salivary tissue within the mandible (salivary choristoma) is a rare phenomenon. Previous cases of mandibular intraosseous salivary tissue usually arise due to salivary gland tissue perforation through the lingual cortical plate in the posterior body/angle region of the mandible. We present a case report of a 22-year-old, otherwise healthy, woman who presented with an asymptomatic radiolucent lesion of the left condylar neck and head. The pathology was discovered on routine radiographs. A surgical approach utilizing a vertical ramus osteotomy through a submandibular incision was utilized to explant the condyle with a ramus segment. An extracorporeal removal of the pathology was performed and the defect was grafted prior to reimplantation of the segment which was stabilized with bone plates and screws. Histopathologic analysis revealed ectopic salivary tissue consistent with an intraosseous salivary gland choristoma. This report will discuss clinical findings, surgical intervention, and potential mechanisms to explain the etiology of ectopic salivary tissue within the mandible.