Frontonasal glioma – diagnostic difficulties

Nasal glioma or nasal glial heterotopia represents a rare rare benign tumor of the median line. Prenatal and even postnatal imagingc diagnosis of congenital frontonasal masses is difficult. We describe the case of an infant presenting with a lateral nasal mass. The characteristics of the prenatal magnetic resonance imaging and the postnatal clinical examination argued in favor of a congenital hemangioma. The non-regressive aspect of hemangioma under Propranolol therapy pleaded for a possible non-involuting congenital hemangioma. To rule out other diagnosis we performed a postnatal magnetic resonance imaging that indicated a tissue lesion and ruled out an encephalocele. Surgical treatment was performed. The histologic examination revealed glial tissue and connective tissue, with immunohistochemistry confirming nasal glial heterotopia. Nasal glioma can be misdiagnosed as hemangioma. Magnetic resonance imaging and pathology with immunohistochemistry are the mainstay of diagnosis.