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Organized cerebral heterotopia in the ethmoid sinus. A case report
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
|July 1, 1976
Summary
A rare case of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea in a 60-year-old woman was linked to a nasal glioma. This congenital malformation, trapped cerebral tissue in the ethmoid sinus, likely presented due to sinusitis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pathology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a rare condition.
- Nasal gliomas are congenital malformations involving heterotopic brain tissue.
- Understanding the embryological origin is key to classifying these lesions.
Observation:
- A 60-year-old woman presented with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea.
- Examination revealed a heterotopia of well-differentiated neurons in the ethmoid sinus mucosa.
- The heterotopic tissue was organized in layers within the lamina propria.
Findings:
- The observed heterotopia is classified as a nasal glioma.
- It represents a congenital cerebral anlage resulting from anterior neuropore closure failure.
- Trapped cerebral tissue, normally herniating during development, was identified.
Implications:
- Late-life presentation of congenital malformations can be triggered by secondary conditions like sinusitis.
- This case highlights the importance of considering developmental anomalies in adult-onset CSF leaks.
- Accurate classification aids in understanding the pathogenesis and guiding clinical management.