Diagnosis & Imaging
Nasal glioma
A nasal glioma is a mass of brain-like tissue in or near the nose that, unlike an encephalocele, does not connect to the brain.
In short: Nasal glioma
- It is part of the differential diagnosis for a nasal mass.
- Unlike an encephalocele, it has no open connection to the brain.
- Imaging distinguishes it from an encephalocele.
- It must still be imaged before any procedure.
What it is
It is a mass of brain-like (glial) tissue located in or near the nose. Despite containing brain-like tissue, it does not have an open connection to the brain, which distinguishes it from a nasal encephalocele.
Understanding Nasal glioma
It is part of the differential diagnosis for a nasal mass in a child, alongside encephalocele and dermoid cyst. The key distinction is the connection to the brain: an encephalocele connects, while a nasal glioma generally does not. Imaging is used to make this distinction safely, which is why any nasal mass is imaged before a procedure — to avoid operating on an unrecognized encephalocele.
Why it matters
Understanding nasal glioma helps families see why imaging is essential to distinguish among nasal masses, since the presence or absence of a brain connection changes the approach entirely.
Common questions
What is a nasal glioma?
A mass of brain-like tissue near the nose without an open brain connection.
How is it different from an encephalocele?
An encephalocele connects to the brain; a nasal glioma generally does not.
Why image first?
To distinguish it from an encephalocele before any procedure.
Bottom line
A nasal glioma is brain-like tissue near the nose without a brain connection, distinguished from encephalocele by imaging.
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