Image-guided transoral resection of recurrent parapharyngeal space glial heterotopia

Intranasal glial heterotopia is an uncommon congenital nasal lesion of neuroectoderm origin. Involvement of the parapharyngeal space is extremely rare. We present a case report of a newborn with life-threatening respiratory distress and feeding difficulty caused by a nasal glial heterotopia in a rare location involving the nasopharynx and parapharyngeal space. Surgical treatment was done in a staged fashion, involving image guidance for recurrence. Other diagnostic and treatment options are reviewed in the light of current literature.