Nasal Glial Heterotopia of the Nasal Root in a Child: A Case Report

Nasal glial heterotopia is a rare, benign congenital malformation characterized by ectopic glial tissue; its clinical diagnosis remains challenging due to overlap with other congenital midline masses such as encephalocele or dermoid cysts.We report the case of a two-year-old boy presenting with a congenital mass at the root of the nose, which initially appeared to be a dermoid cyst on imaging.Preoperative MRI showed no intracranial communication.Intraoperatively, an approximately 1-cm nasal bone defect was identified, with no communication with the nasal cavity on endoscopic examination.Complete excision was performed via a lateral nasal approach.Histopathological examination revealed mature glial tissue, predominantly astrocytes, within a fibrous stroma.Immunohistochemical staining was positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100, confirming nasal glial heterotopia.The postoperative course was uneventful, with no recurrence during follow-up.