Radiologically Suspected Pontine Glioma in a Newborn Mimicking Laryngomalacia: A Case Report

Öz

Objective: To highlight that severe or persistent neonatal stridor that is disproportionate to flexible airway endoscopy should prompt evaluation for alternative etiologies, including central nervous system pathology. Materials and Methods: We describe a term male neonate with marked stridor and hypoxemic respiratory distress initially attributed to mild type 1 laryngomalacia on flexible laryngoscopy. Results: Symptoms were refractory to positional therapy and non-invasive ventilatory support. Brain magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an expansile intrinsic pontine lesion (T2/FLAIR hyperintense, minimal patchy enhancement, no diffusion restriction) radiologically suggestive of an intrinsic pontine neoplasm, with glioma considered the leading diagnosis within the diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma spectrum. Histopathologic confirmation was not obtained. Discussion and Conclusion: Although rare, neonatal brainstem tumors may present with a laryngomalacia-like phenotype. Brain/brainstem imaging should be considered when clinical severity is not explained by airway endoscopy.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Laryngomalacia
• stridor
• brain neoplasms
• glioma
• pons
• magneticresonanceimaging

Destekleyen Kurum

Theauthorsreceived nospecific grantfromanyfundingagencyin the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. The authors would like to thank all healthcare personnel involved in the patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

Etik Beyan

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest relevant to this manuscript.

Kaynakça

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