EC Dental Science

Inclusions of salivary gland tissue confined to lymph nodes represent as a benign condition wherein salivary gland structures appear incorporated within lymph node parenchyma. Commonly encountered as an incidentally discerned feature, the ectopic salivary gland tissue is pre-eminently constituted of salivary ducts and acini. Additionally designated as salivary gland inclusions or heterotopic salivary gland tissue, ectopic salivary gland tissue is frequently confined to upper cervical lymph nodes. Exceptionally, thoracic or mediastinal lymph nodes may display benign aggregates of salivary gland tissue. Ectopic salivary gland tissue is contemplated as a developmental anomaly concurrent with diverse focal embryological manifestations encountered within the region [1,2]. Essentially the condition may be asymptomatic or may be discerned as an incidental discovery. Alternatively, implicated lymph nodes may be enlarged [1,2]. Grossly, the condition is associated with unaltered or enlarged lymph nodes [5]. Upon microscopy, salivary gland ducts and acini are unquestionably observed. Constituent benign salivary gland ducts appear layered by a dual layer of epithelium and myo-epithelium. The benign salivary gland acinar cells demonstrate intracellular zymogen granules [5]. Ectopic salivary gland tissue confined to lymph node parenchyma necessitates distinction from lesions as distant metastasis from various primary adenocarcinomas [6,7]. Generally, the condition does not mandate specific treatment. However, cogent therapeutic intervention pertains to precise clinical scenarios. Categorically benign, the condition appears to lack pertinent clinical significance. However, ectopic salivary gland tissue may delineate various disorders addressing salivary gland parenchyma besides numerous neoplastic lesions. Warthin’s tumour is a frequently encountered neoplasm [6,7].

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8. Image 1 Courtesy: Medcell.org.
9. Image 2 Courtesy: Science direct.