A hamartoma is a benign, focal malformation that resembles a neoplasm in the tissue of its origin. This is not a malignant tumor, and it grows at the same rate as the surrounding tissues. It is composed of tissue elements normally found at that site, but which are growing in a disorganized mass. They occur in many different parts of the body and are most often asymptomatic and undetected unless seen on an image taken for another reason (incidentaloma).
see Spinal intramedullary hamartoma.
Choristomas, forms of heterotopia, are closely related benign tumors, found in abnormal locations.
The two can be differentiated as follows: a hamartoma is an excess of normal tissue in a normal situation (e.g. a birthmark on the skin), while a choristoma is an excess of tissue in an abnormal situation (e.g. pancreatic tissue in the duodenum).
Medial temporal lobe lesions, may be responsible for seizures, especially “uncal fits” (temporal lobe seizures).
1. hamartoma
2. mesial temporal sclerosis : should see atrophy of the parenchyma in this area with dilatation of the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle
3. glioma: may be low grade. Look for mass effect and possibly enhancement