INTRATHYROID SALIVARY GLAND-TYPE TISSUE IN MULTINODULAR GOITER

We report a case of intrathyroid salivary gland tissue in a 66-year-ol d Caucasian female with multinodular goiter. Lobules of well different iated seromucinous salivary glands were found in close relationship wi th car tilage and fat, and intimately associated with normal thyroid f ollicles and solid cell nests (SCN) of the thyroid gland. This is the first report of non-neoplastic intrathyroid salivary gland tissue. We conclude that this heterotopic tissue probably arises from the SCN as ultimobranchial vestigial structures.