Case report: neonatal giant forehead hemangiopericytoma with a 5-year follow-up

Abstract

Rationale: Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a rare pediatric neoplasm with a high risk of bleeding, aggressive growth and high early relapse rates. Surgical excision remains the mainstream treatment, while the functions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy remain controversial. In particular, an infantile giant extracranial HPC located in the forehead has never been reported. Patient concerns: A 3-day-old girl was delivered normally with a giant tumor localized mainly in the right frontal region. The surface of the mass was filled with vascularity. Diagnosis: According to the results of imaging and pathological examinations, the diagnosis was HPC grade II. Interventions: Gross total resection of the tumor and the invading partial frontal bone followed by skin scalp reconstruction was carried out without any blood transfusion. Outcomes: No recurrence was identified during 5 years of follow-up. And better outcomes can be achieved without adjuvant therapy. Lessons: Multimodality imaging and a collaborative multidisciplinary approach are indispensable for the successful surgical management of infantile HPC, especially for giant tumors and their potential risk of life-threatening bleeding. Gross total resection is the optimal option for infantile HPC, and even without adjuvant therapy, it achieves better outcomes.