Neuroblastoma in early childhood: A rare case report and review of literature

A Rare Case Report of Unilateral Maxillary Mass from Adrenal Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial neoplasm among paediatric patients, which arises from ectodermal neural crest cells. The most frequent primary site of neuroblastoma arises from retroperitoneum, specifically in the adrenal medulla. We present a rare case of adrenal neuroblastoma metastasis to maxillary sinus in a 20 month-old boy presenting with right maxillary swelling for the past 2 months. Computed tomography (CT) scan of paranasal sinus demonstrated right maxillary mass. A biopsy performed via a sublabial approach, surprisingly revealed neuroblastoma. Subsequent further workup depicted a huge right adrenal tumour. He was diagnosed with adrenal neuroblastoma stage 4 and treated with chemotherapy and surgical resection.

Metastatic cancer and endentulism: Exploring comorbidity to assist with differential diagnosis in a case from Vico nel Lazio (Fr, Italy), 13th-15th century CE

OBJECTIVE

To differentially diagnose cranial lesions noted on a medieval skeleton and explore the importance of comorbidity.

MATERIALS

A skull of an adult female with osteolytic and osteoblastic lesions, edentulism, and an ectopic tooth from an ossuary of the Church of Santa Maria in Vico del Lazio, Frosinone Italy, dating to the Middle Ages.

METHODS

Macroscopic observations of the remains, CT scan, and differential diagnosis was undertaken.

RESULTS

A diagnosis of metastatic cancer (potentially breast cancer) or metastatic neuroblastoma (NBL) is offered.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the noted comorbidities, this case might represent a rare case of metastatic neuroblastoma.

SIGNIFICANCE

The exploration of comorbidity, in this case the presence of metastatic carcinoma and edentulism, has tremendous potential to expand our knowledge about cancer in the past.

LIMITATIONS

Lack of postcranial elements.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH

Clinical and paleopathological investigation of comorbidity in modern and archeological populations to develop an evolutionary perspective on the presence of cancer in the past.

Blueberry Muffin Baby: An Unusual Presentation of Infantile Neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor of infancy presenting clinically in a plethora of different and sometimes unpredictable ways with a wide range of symptoms. Young children can present with bluish skin metastases that may resemble bruising secondary to child abuse. Blueberry muffin baby had been reported to be a manifestation of either dermal erythropoiesis secondary to some congenital viral infections or neoplastic infiltrations. Among the neoplastic diseases, neuroblastoma has been the most common association with these subcutaneous skin metastases. Here, we report 2 months infant with neuroblastoma who presented with abdominal distension and multiple blueberry muffin nodules.

Orbital neuroblastoma metastasis: A case report and literature review

RATIONALE

Neuroblastoma is one of the most common tumors found in children, and mostly arises in the adrenal gland and paravertebral regions. Orbital neuroblastoma metastasis is relatively rare, and is associated with poor prognosis. Since the symptoms and signs of orbital neuroblastoma are not specific, its diagnosis remains challenging.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 3-year-old girl presented with periorbital ecchymoses (raccoon eyes) and proptosis for 40 days.

DIAGNOSES

Abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sonography analysis revealed a large mass in the left adrenal gland (primary tumor). The computed tomography and MRI further revealed multiple soft tissue masses in the skull and both orbits with erosion of the adjacent bones (the metastasis). The histological analysis of the tumor removed from the right orbit confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The mass on the right face was surgically removed.

OUTCOMES

The patient exhibited no deteriorative signs at the 6-month follow-up.

LESSONS

Clinical manifestations, such as periorbital ecchymoses and proptosis, in combination with radiological analysis and histological findings, are important for the diagnosis of orbital neuroblastoma metastasis.

The second-generation ALK inhibitor alectinib effectively induces apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells and inhibits tumor growth in a TH-MYCN transgenic neuroblastoma mouse model

Activating germline mutations of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) occur in most cases of hereditary neuroblastoma (NB) and the constitutively active kinase activity of ALK promotes cell proliferation and survival in NB. Therefore, ALK kinase is a potential therapeutic target for NB. In this study, we show that the novel ALK inhibitor alectinib effectively suppressed cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in NB cell lines with either wild-type ALK or mutated ALK (F1174L and D1091N) by blocking ALK-mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. In addition, alectinib enhanced doxorubicin-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in NB cells. Furthermore, alectinib induced apoptosis in an orthotopic xenograft NB mouse model. Also, in the TH-MYCN transgenic mouse model, alectinib resulted in decreased tumor growth and prolonged survival time. These results indicate that alectinib may be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of NB.