South African Journal of Radiology · Published 2026-07-30 · DOI 10.4102/sajr.v30i1.3542
Alaipreet Kaur, Sameer Vyas, Atul Jain, Hemlata Jangir
Neuroglial heterotopia is a congenital developmental anomaly characterised by mature glial tissue located outside the cranial cavity or spinal canal, without intracranial communication. A 12-month-old girl presented with an enlarging left cervical mass and worsening respiratory symptoms. MRI demonstrated a trans-spatial, multiseptated cystic lesion in the left parotid and submandibular spaces, extending medially into the parapharyngeal space with upper airway compression. No intracranial communication was identified. The postoperative specimen revealed mature glial tissue interspersed within fibroconnective stroma, confirming neuroglial heterotopia. Contribution: This case highlights the importance of considering neuroglial heterotopia in the differential diagnosis for congenital or progressive cystic neck masses in infants. Although MRI plays a central role in defining the lesion extent, a definitive diagnosis requires histopathological confirmation.
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Kaur, A., Vyas, S., Jain, A., et al. (2026). Progressive left cervical mass in an infant diagnosed as neuroglial heterotopia: A case report. South African Journal of Radiology. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajr.v30i1.3542