Open AccessAn unusual presentation of neuroglial heterotopia: case report
Author(s) -
Parthasarathy Karunakaran,
Chary Duraikannu,
Venkata Narasimha Kumar Pulupula
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
bjr case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2055-7159
DOI - 10.1259/bjrcr.20190116
Subject(s) - heterotopia (medicine) , medicine , respiratory distress , presentation (obstetrics) , radiological imaging , sore throat , feeling , airway obstruction , surgical resection , throat , surgery , airway , pathology , psychology , social psychology
We report a rare case of nasopharyngeal neuroglial heterotopia in a 16-year-old girl who presented with sore throat and feeling of a lump in her throat. Neuroglial heterotopia is a mass composed of misplaced neural tissue during embryonic development which has lost its intracranial connection. A careful review of literature in PUBMED shows most of the previously reported cases of nasopharyngeal glial heterotopia presented during neonatal or infancy period with symptoms of respiratory distress or airway obstruction. Our case caused a diagnostic dilemma due to late presentation and atypical radiological findings. Imaging, especially MRI, is vital for evaluating such nasopharyngeal masses in children for pre-surgical planning and more importantly to rule out any intracranial communication. Treatment is surgical resection by endoscopic or external approach, with a rare possibility of recurrence.