The extranasal glioma - a cause of neonatal respiratory distress

Normal brain tissue in an abnonnal configuration, occurring at a site away from the cranial cavity, is temied an Extranasal Glioma. Since its first description in 1852 by Reid2, only 140 patients with this entity have been reported. Heterotopic brain tissue when present in a confined area may cause obstmction, pressure and pain. Its occurrence in the nasopharyngeal region is relatively rare and only 19 cases have been reported so far2, the majority presenting with respiratory distress in the early neonatal period. The objective of this report is to create an awareness amongst the physicians of the presentation and management of this condition