Hibernoma of the Neck

Abstract

HIBERNOMAS are uncommon supporting tissue neoplasms that take their origin from immature or so-called "brown" fat. Although known in Europe, the neoplasm was not defined as an entity in the American literature until 1949.¹ As testament to its low frequency, Sutherland et al² were able to accept only 13 reported cases through 1951. The majority of hibernomas are subcutaneous and are most often reported as arising between the scapulae. Deep seated hibernomas are unusual and while intrathoracic sites of origin have been recorded,^3,4 other deep sites have only rarely been identified.⁵ This report deals with a patient presenting with a deep seated hibernoma of the neck; clinically presenting as a mixed salivary gland tumor. Report of a Case A 36-year-old white man entered The University of Michigan Medical Center complaining of a mass in the neck which had been present and increasing in size for