NASAL GLIOMA - IS DERMIS INVOLVEMENT SIGNIFICANT

Nasal gliomas are rare, benign, congenital masses more accurately refe rred to as sequestered glial tissue. Seven patients with nasal glioma treated by Hugh G. Thomson over the last 28 years are presented with s pecial reference to tumor recurrence after excision and associated nas o-ocular cleft. Three of our patients had an associated ipsilateral na so-ocular cleft, and three similar cases have been reported. This asso ciation is probably more frequent because a naso-ocular cleft can exis t as a forme fruste and be easily overlooked. The first two tumors res ected in our series recurred within 10 months; however, no recurrences were seen after a new treatment protocol was initiated in 1972. This consisted of total excision of the skin overlying the tumor if the ski n adhered to the mass or if glial elements were seen within the dermis on frozen section. Deep resection margin was also assessed by frozen section of the nasal mucosa or fibrous stalk of the tumor. Accordingly , unnecessary intracranial procedures were avoided without increasing the risk of recurrence.