Congenital neuroglial choristoma of the foot

Neuroglial choristomas are rare malformations of heterotopic neural tissue that have been previously reported predominantly in the head and neck. Competing theories of embryogenesis propose their origin as encephaloceles that have undergone resorption of their cranial connection or displaced neuroectodermal cells which have undergone ectopic proliferation. Most cases occur in midline or para-midline structures. There have been no prior published cases of a neuroglial choristoma in the extremities. We present a case of a 13-month-old otherwise healthy child who presented to our institution with a slowly growing foot mass who was found to have a neuroglial choristoma. This case suggests an early embryological migration defect as the etiology and offers a unique differential consideration for a benign extremity mass.