NASAL GLIOMA IN AN INFANT

Congenital midline nasal mass in a newborn, infant or child is rare entity and therefore often poses a diagnostic challenge to the surgeon. The most pressing issue is whether the mass extends intracranially. The development of the frontonasal region or anterior neuropore is complex. Aberrant embryogenesis leads to three main types of anomalies: dermoid, encephalocele and nasal glial heterotopia ( nasal glioma).Determination of the presence of a connection between the frontonasal mass and the anterior cranial fossae is crucial in the imaging assessment and clinical management. A rare case of glial heterotopia presenting as a midline nasal mass in a 3-months-old infant is reported. There was no communication between the mass and the cranial cavity on radiological examination. Complete surgical excision of the mass was performed and histological examination of the specimen revealed presence of glial tissue with the final diagnosis of nasal glioma.