Salivary gland choristoma of the anterior chest wall

ErbB receptors and their growth factor ligands in pediatric intestinal inflammation

The ErbB tyrosine kinases (epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), ErbB2/HER2, ErbB3, and ErbB4) are cell surface growth factor receptors widely expressed in many developing mammalian tissues, including in the intestinal tract. Signaling elicited by these receptors promotes epithelial cell growth and survival, and ErbB ligands have been proposed as therapeutic agents for intestinal diseases of pediatric populations, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and inflammation associated with total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Furthermore, emerging evidence points to reduced ErbB ligand expression and thus reduced ErbB activity in IBD, NEC, and TPN models. This review will discuss the current understanding of the role of ErbB receptors in the pathogenesis and potential treatment of pediatric intestinal inflammation, with focus on the altered signaling in disease and the molecular mechanisms by which exogenous ligands are protective.

Salivary gland choristoma (heterotopic salivary gland tissue) on the anterior chest wall of a newborn

Salivary gland choristoma (heterotopic salivary gland tissue) is a rare condition typically seen in the newborn period. This developmental heterotopia is generally nonprogressive, with little risk of malignant transformation. We present the second known reported case of a salivary gland choristoma located on the anterior chest wall. Knowledge of this rare entity will allow for accurate diagnosis and management of this benign anatomic variant.

Heterotopic salivary gland presenting as a supra-clavicular swelling

A 5-month-old female was referred to the paediatric surgery clinic with a neck swelling in the right supra-clavicular region. This was thought clinically to be cystic hygroma. Pathology showed an ectopic salivary gland. This should be added to the list of differential diagnoses of neck swelling in childhood.

Salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear in an infant: a case report

Salivary gland choristoma of the middle ear cavity is an extremely rare entity. Many patients with this entity usually present with conductive hearing loss. Many reports concentrate on the importance of conservative treatment of choristoma for fear of the possible injury of the facial nerve. We report another case of salivary choristoma of the middle ear in an 11-month-old girl. We performed a reconstruction surgery of the hearing mechanism, as well as tumor removal, and achieved satisfactory hearing results. If no remarkable facial nerve anomaly is detected in the preoperative evaluation, the reconstruction of the hearing mechanism with complete tumor removal might be considered.