Misplaced parotid glands: bilateral agenesis of parotid glands associated with bilateral accessory parotid tissue

Agenesis of the parotid is a rare entity. It is usually unilateral but bila teral cases have been described as a rare cause of xerostomia. Accessory pa rotid tissue is also uncommon and is not normally associated with aplasia o f the parotid gland. The embryological, histological, clinical and radiolog ical findings of these two entities will be discussed in addition to the re port of an obscure case of bilateral parotid agenesis together with bilater al accessory parotid tissue.