17- NASAL GLIOMA, A CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Jamal Al Harby,Abdulmohsen E Hussaini,Mohammad H Bu Abbas

doi:10.33762/bsurg.2009.55395

Abstract

Nasal glioma (also known as nasal glial heterotopia) has been used to describe a congenital benign tumor of the nasal region containing neural tissue. It arises from failure of closure of foramen caecum at about the third week of gestation. The patient described in this report is an 18 months old girl who presented with a nasal bridge swelling for three months. The differential diagnosis included nasal encephalocele, nasal dermoid and epidermoid cysts. All are due to failure of ectoderm and neuroectoderm embryologic separation. CT scan and MRI imaging can be used to look for probable concomitant intracranial tumors and the existence of a connection between nasal tumor and the brain. Surgical resection is the usual method of managing such pathologies. In this case, an open rhinoplasty approach was used to resect this mass after the radiologic evaluation was complete.

Highlights

The term nasal glioma is a misnomer because such a mass is not a true neoplasm; it is made up of ectopic nerve tissue that contains neuroglial elements[1,2] with glial cells in a connective tissue matrix with or without connection to the subarachnoid space or dura[3]
The histopathology sections showed a nodular mass composed of fibrillary neuroglial tissue intersected with vascular connective tissue which is consistent of the diagnosis of nasal bridge glial heterotopia
Complete history and physical examination are the essential milestones for the evaluation and management of congenital midline nasal masses as they all may present as an intranasal or extranasal masses

Summary

Introduction

The term nasal glioma is a misnomer because such a mass is not a true neoplasm; it is made up of ectopic nerve tissue that contains neuroglial elements[1,2] with glial cells in a connective tissue matrix with or without connection to the subarachnoid space or dura[3]. The incidence of congenital nasal masses has been reported to range from 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 40000 live births[4]. These congenital malformations are classified as nasal encephalocele, dermoid, and nasal glioma. A mass on the nasal bridge is found.

Results

Conclusion