Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Imaging Casebook
  • Published:

Imaging Case Book

Oropharyngeal neuroglial choristoma

Journal of Perinatology volume 27, pages 386–387 (2007)Cite this article

The MRI and CT demonstrate a cystic and solid mass extending from the oropharynx to the left parapharyngeal and infratemporal regions. The mass in the pharynx deviates and narrows the airway. The mass was biopsied and ultimately subtotally resected. Surgically, it was seen to involve the left hard and soft palate and to extend into the temporalis muscle. Histologically, it was a neuroglial choristoma (NGC) consisting of mature neuroglial tissue and elements of choroid plexus without malignant elements.

Developmental tumors arising in the oral cavity and pharynx are rare and include choristomas, hamartomas, dermoid cysts, and true teratomas.1 A choristoma is a mass of matured differentiated cells not normally located in the tissues in which the mass develops. A hamartoma is a mass of disorganized foci or overgrowth of tissues that normally occur at the site at which the mass is found. A dermoid cyst is a mass composed of tissues only of ectodermal differentiation such as hair, sweat glands and sebaceous glands. A teratoma is a mass whose cells retain the capacity to differentiate along all three cell lines (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm).1 A benign congenital teratoma of the oral cavity and palatopharyngeal region is called an epithnathus. These may reach enormous size and protrude through the mouth.1 Neuroglial choristoma is the most common choristoma in the head and neck.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

  • Purchase on Springer Link
  • Instant access to full article PDF
Buy now

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

References

  1. El Musa KA, Shehad RS, Shehad S . Surgical repair of unidirectional palatopharyngeal epignathus: case report and review of literature. Cleft Palate Craniofac J 2006; 43: 367–369.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Buccoliero AM, Caldarella A, Noccioli B, Fiorini P, Taddei A, Tadddei GL . Brain heterotopia in pharyngeal region: a morphological and immunohistochemical study. Pathol Res Pract 2002; 198: 59–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Gambini C, Rongioletti F . Glial choristoma of the tongue. Am J Dermatopathol 27; 2005: 360–361.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Halfpenny W, Odell EW, Robinson PD . Cystic and glial mixed hamartoma of the tongue. J Oral Pathol Med 2001; 30: 368–371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis Children's Hospital, St Louis, MO, USA

    T E Herman & M J Siegel

Authors
  1. T E Herman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M J Siegel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to T E Herman.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Herman, T., Siegel, M. Oropharyngeal neuroglial choristoma. J Perinatol 27, 386–387 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211742

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211742

Search

Advanced search

Quick links