Nasopharyngeal gliomas: diagnostic and treatment considerations

Nasopharyngeal masses in newborns may produce life-threatening airway obstruction. Distinction between encephaloceles and gliomas is important for surgical planning, but cannot always be accurately assessed on the basis of high-resolution computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Preoperative or intraoperative nuclide imaging or contrast injection studies may assist with selection of appropriate surgical approach.