Orbital Ectopic Brain Tissue in Aicardi Syndrome

Huge heterotopic brain cyst of the orbit: report of a case and its management

Heterotopic brain tissues are a group of extracerebral neuroglial tissues. Heterotopic brain tissue in the orbit remains a rare clinical entity. This article presents a 7-year-old male child who presented with severe globe displacement, proptosis, and vision loss in the right eye. The orbital imaging showed a huge orbital cystic mass displacing the globe. The cyst was excised entirely from the orbit. The histopathological investigations revealed the presence of a cystic lesion containing brain tissue that was immune reactive for S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic proteins. The diagnosis was confirmed to be heterotopic brain tissue due to the lack of visible bony defect. The relevant literature was also reviewed.

Ectopic orbital brain tissue: a case report with radiographic and clinical review

Orbital heterotopic brain tissue is a rare entity with heterogenous clinical features requiring a multi-faceted diagnostic approach. The authors present a case of ectopic orbital brain tissue in an infant with a comprehensive literature review to highlight the radiographic findings of these lesions. Imaging findings are variable but describe well-circumscribed homogenous lesions with variable enhancement, without communication intracranially. The combination of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can identify associated bony abnormalities, lesion-specific features, and effects on surrounding structures, which in combination with the clinical exam can be a valuable diagnostic and surveillance tool. Although ectopic orbital brain tumors are benign with excellent outcomes following complete resection, conservative management with observation and serial imaging may be an alternative method of management in patients with mild, non-vision threatening, non-distorting tumors.

Orbital Glial Heterotopia: A Report of 2 Cases and Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

To review the clinical radiographic and histopathologic findings associated with orbital glial heterotopia.

METHODS

A literature search in PubMed and Scopus was performed to include all articles published in English between 1980 and January 1, 2019. A case series including 29 case reports of 29 patients, as well as the authors' 2 cases, were considered in the literature review.

RESULTS

The majority of the cases had onset of symptoms (86%) and age at presentation (71%) before 5 years of age. The most common presenting symptoms and signs were swelling (45%), strabismus (32%), and proptosis (26%). The most common lesion locations described were inferolateral (19%) or primarily posterior orbital or apical (19%). The most common findings associated with orbital glial heterotopia were microphthalmia (10%) and anophthalmia (6%); however, the majority did not have systemic abnormalities (71%). The most common imaging modality was CT scan (71%). Diagnosis was made with histologic analysis in all cases, and confirmed after subtotal resection (35%), total resection (39%), or incisional biopsy (26%). The majority of the cases report no growth on repeat imaging, with only 3 reports of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

Glial heterotopia in the orbit is a rare clinical entity most commonly presenting in children. We present 2 cases of orbital glial heterotopia in adults, with a literature on these lesions in both the pediatric and adult populations. Surgeons and pathologists should be aware of this atypical presentation in adulthood. Biopsy is required for diagnosis but is not without risk. Prognosis is generally favorable.Orbital glial heterotopia, commonly considered a rare congenital lesion generally presenting in children, may first become symptomatic in adulthood. Biopsy is required for diagnosis, with symptoms and prognosis dependent on location and growth of the lesion.

Heterotopic Neuroglial Tissue in Sphenoid Ridge

BACKGROUND

Extracerebral neuroglial heterotopias are rare manifestations of cerebral tissue outside the brain whose most common form is the so-called nasal glioma. In this case report we illustrate the first case of heterotopic neuroglial tissue within the bone of the skull.

CASE DESCRIPTION

Our patient underwent surgery for a sphenoid ridge meningioma. Aside from the expected meningioma, histopathologic examination showed a small amount of intraosseous heterotopic neuroglial tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

The pathogenesis of cerebral heterotopias is diverse. Most of the midline lesions are probably residuals of former meningoencephaloceles. The pathogenesis of extracranial nonmidline lesions is more questionable. Their cause might be a former trauma, inflammatory disease, or surgery. Another option is that they represent primary neuroglial heterotopias, as it is supposed for manifestations of the lung. The coexistence of a heterotopia and a meningioma in this case is probably a coincidence. It is also debatable whether the broad tumor extension within the bone and/or the heterotopia might go back to alterations of the bone structure.

Retroperitoneal ectopic brain: Case report and literature review

Heterotopic neural tissue (HNT) has been identified in many sites. In our literature review, we have found only two cases of HNT located in the retroperitoneum. As far as we know, cytological features of HNT have not been described. We here report a case of retroperitoneal HNT diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) cytology and subsequent resection. Our patient was a male infant born at 26 weeks' gestation. A retroperitoneal solid-cystic lesion measuring 3.8 cm was identified by abdominal ultrasound. FNA was performed and cytology showed highly cellular smears with single cells and masses of fibrillary material. Cells were small with rounded irregular nuclei and variable cytoplasm. Multinucleated cells, cells with neuronal morphology, calcifications, and hemosiderophages could also be seen. The lesion was excised and histology showed fibrillary areas, glial cells, neurons, and ependymal cells. Synaptophysin, GFAP, and EMA were expressed in distinct areas and cell types. No recurrences were observed.

Iris cyst in a child with Aicardi syndrome: a novel association

Aicardi syndrome is a rare X-linked cerebro-retinal disorder characterized by agenesis or dysgenesis of the corpus callosum, seizures, and chorioretinal lacunae; microphthalmia or optic nerve coloboma may also be observed. We report the case of an infant born with severe ocular malformations, including an anterior chamber cyst in one eye, which was surgically removed.

Management of neonatal proptosis: a systematic review

Gross proptosis presenting at birth is an uncommon manifestation of a variety of lesions that can compromise vision and result in disfigurement or even loss of life. Notably, many disease entities have different presentations and prognoses in neonates compared to older children. A structured mental framework is essential to an efficient and coordinated response. We present three challenging cases of neonatal proptosis and discuss the clinical presentation and biological behavior of the lesions that are most often implicated.