Clinical and imaging features of neuroglial heterotopia in children / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To summarize the clinical and imaging features of pediatric neuroglial heterotopia (NGH) in different locations.Methods:The clinical and preoperative imaging data of 9 patients (6 boys and 3 girls, median age 3 months, range from 1 to13 months) with NGH confirmed by pathology were retrospectively reviewed in Wuhan Children′s Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from October 2009 to December 2020. All patients underwent preoperative CT or/and MR examination. Follow-up was performed in 12 to 60 months after operation, with a median follow-up time of 24 months. The location, range, size, density/signal intensity of the lesions were reviewed.Results:Of all 9 cases, three cases were located in nose (2 extranasal type and 1 mixed type), with the maximum diameter of 13, 13 and 15 mm; there were 3 lesions in tongue, all of which were located on the dorsum of tongue, with the maximum diameter of 13, 18 and 23 mm; there were also 2 cases located in nasopharynx, maximum diameter of 15 and 22 mm, respectively. One case was in sacrococcygeal area, with the maximum diameter as 18 mm. All lesions presented as solid masses with well-defined margins, displaying slightly low density compared to grey matter. The CT value ranged from 25 to 47 HU. Compared to grey matter or spinal cord, MRI demonstrated isointense or slight hypointense on T 1WI and slight hyperintense on T 2WI. All masses presented homogenous density or signal intensity, with mild homogenous enhancement. During postoperative follow-up, no recurrence was found in 8 cases. One case of nasal NGH with gradeⅡcleft lip recurred at 1 month follow-up after surgery, and no recurrence was found after the second surgery. Conclusions:The NGH in children has typical imaging features, and is mostly located at the extracranial midline structure.It presents as solid mass, with quasi-circular morphology, well-defined margins and homogeneous density or signal intensity similar to gray matter or spinal cord. The postoperative recurrence rate is low.