Heterotopic Nasopharyngeal Brain Tissue Associated with Cleft Palate

Abstract

Objective The occurrence of extracranial brain tissue is rare. Most of the literature describes cases in which it is located around the nose and throat and has been classified as nasal glioma. Even more unusual is heterotopic brain tissue in the nasopharynx. We were able to find only 17 previously reported cases. Of these 17 cases, 6 had heterotopic brain tissue located in a cleft palate. This report comments on the identification and treatment of heterotopic brain tissue associated with cleft palate without connection to the central nervous system. Our case subject is a 10-month-old girl diagnosed with heterotopic nasophranygeal brain tissue associated with cleft palate. Results Excision and palatoplasty were performed conjunctively with excellent results. Conclusions Simultaneous excision of heterotopic nasopharyngeal brain tissue and palatoplasty of the cleft palate is an excellent option for treatment of these cases.