Neuroglial heterotopia causing neonatal airway obstruction: presentation, management, and literature review

Abstract

Neuroglial heterotopias are rare congenital masses that are thought to represent encephaloceles that become sequestered on the extracranial side of the skull base. Although most often adjacent to bony skull base defects, they lack communication to the subarachnoid space. They contain mature neuroglial tissue and specialized central nervous system elements, such as a functioning choroid plexus. A case is presented of neonatal airway obstruction due to neuroglial heterotopia in the nasopharynx. The patient's clinical course and treatment are discussed, along with their radiology and histology. The relevant scientific literature is reviewed.