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Adult nasal glioma presenting with visual loss

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2010

A Majithia*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
S H Liyanage
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Barts and The Royal London NHS Trust, London, UK
R Hewitt
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
W E Grant
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A Majithia, 1 Stonecroft, Hyde Heath, Amersham HP6 5RF, UK. E-mail: anoojmajithia@hotmail.com

Abstract

Objectives:

We report a rare case of a nasal glioma found incidentally in an adult, presenting with visual loss, optic nerve oedema and proptosis.

Case report:

A 41-year-old woman presented with bilateral proptosis, impairment in visual acuity (6/60 bilaterally) and loss of colour vision. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed proptosis, bilateral optic nerve swelling and a heterogeneous mass occupying the left nasal cavity and extending through a skull base defect into the anterior cranial fossa. Biopsy confirmed a nasal glioma. Treatment with intravenous dexamethasone resolved the proptosis, and the patient's visual acuity recovered to 6/9 bilaterally. At the multidisciplinary team meeting, it was felt that the nasal glioma probably represented an incidental finding and was not directly responsible for the patient's proptosis and transient visual loss.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the first report in the English language literature of adult nasal glioma presenting with visual loss. The management of nasal gliomas in adults is contentious and the relevant literature is reviewed. This case was managed conservatively with regular follow up.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2010

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