A choristoma is the presence of histologically normal tissue in an area where it is not normally located. The most frequently reported choristoma of the middle ear is salivary choristoma. Heterotopic brain tissue is very uncommon in the middle ear and mastoid.

We present a rare case of glial choristoma of the middle ear, together with a review of the literature.

A choristoma is a benign tumour-like mass consisting of mature tissue derived from one or more germ cell layers that are foreign to the site at which they are located. Choristomas of the pharynx are rare with few cases being reported in the English literature. Management of these lesions is usually complete surgical excision. We report a case of osteocartilaginous choristoma arising from the pharynx.

The pharyngeal ‘hairy polyp’, or ‘dermoid’ has caused considerable debate as to its origin since the original classification proposed by Arnold in 1870.1 This classification implies that the hairy polyp is either a teratoma or sequestration dermoid cyst. Many papers contest this view, in favour of a developmental malformation. We describe the first case of a hairy polyp in association with an ipsilateral branchial sinus as further supportive evidence of a developmental malformation of the second branchial arch.

Salivary tissue neoplasms may involve normal, accessory and heterotopic salivary gland tissue. A case of Warthin's tumour originating from heterotopic salivary gland tissue of the upper neck is reported. The radioactive uptake of 131I, evidenced in the neck mass in its pre-diagnostic assessment, suggested a diagnosis of cervical node involvement from a primary malignant thyroid neoplasm. A critical review of the literature on heterotopic salivary gland tissue neoplasms of the head and neck is also presented.

The histopathological finding of heterotopias or choristoma is rare. This paper describes two patients who presented with chronic recurrent tonsillitis and underwent tonsillectomy. Histological examination revealed heterotopic cartilage in the tonsil of one patient and bone in that otthe other.

Hairy polyps or dermoids of the oro- and naso-pharynx are benign lesions containing elements of both ectodermal and mesodermal origin. We report a case of a hairy polyp arising from the tonsil in a three-week-old infant. This presented as an intermittent swelling in the mouth, which was successfully removed under general anaesthesia. To our knowledge this is only the third case of a hairy polyp arising at this site to be reported. We discuss the terminology applied to these lesions and review the literature.

A salivary gland choristoma is an extremely uncommon tumour in the middle ear space. It appears to be a developmental abnormality and may be associated with abnormalities of adjacent structures.

It usually presents with unilateral conductive deafness which may be long–standing and the tumour often pursues a benign, slow growing course. It is usually possible to excise it, but problems may arise as there may be variable associated anatomical abnormalities of the middle ear.

We present the nineteenth recorded case, review the literature and discuss the management of this condition.