Glial Choristoma of the Tongue: a Rare Cause of Congenital Macroglossia

Abstract

The word “choristomas” refers to the presence of heterotopic tissue that is microscopically normal. Glial choristoma is considered to be a type of brain heterotopia that comprises ectopic central nervous tissue. It usually presents in the head and neck region with commonest location being nasal cavity, followed by palatopharyngeal complex, and rarely tongue. We hereby present a rare of glial choristoma of tongue which presented as a growing tongue lesion, with surgical challenges concerning complete excision of lesion along with preservation and reconstruction of tongue. Recurrence was managed with redo excision, and the patient is recurrence free on follow-up. The condition being a rare clinical entity should be considered as one of the rare differentials as a cause of congenital macroglossia, and surgical management plan should emphasize on complete excision of tumour, along with salvaging as much tongue tissue as feasible to ensure tongue tissue reconstruction for near optimal cosmetic and functional outcome since other options of tongue reconstruction are at best limited in paediatric surgical population.