Cervical neuroblastoma in eleven infants —a tumor with favorable prognosis

Abstract

Cervical neuroblastoma, a disease primarily of infants, has a favorable prognosis. Eleven patients are reported. Clinical presentations (other than mass) included stridor and swallowing problems. Masses when felt were commonly mistaken for infectious adenitis. Imaging studies (US, CT, MRI) showed solid masses with vascular displacement and narrowing; intraspinal extension was absent though extension into the adjacent sites of mediastinum and skull occurred. Horner syndrome was seen in five patients with accompanying heterochromia iridis in one. Five tumors had calcification. A high index of suspicion will lead to biopsy and less delay in diagnosis once a mass is felt or imaged.

Retropharyngeal neuroblastoma in a neonate: case report and literature review

“…Cervical NB usually presents with stridor, dyspnea, difficulty in swallowing, or Horner's syndrome in association with a smooth, firm mass [4,5], and is reported to have a favorable outcome [6]. However, cervical NB in neonates is extremely rare and its clinical characteristics are not clearly understood.…”

Primary Retropharyngeal Neuroblastoma in an Infant: A Case Report with Literature Review

“…Retropharyngeal neuroblastomas in infant were also documented in only small case reports (1)(2)(3). We report a case of primary retropharyngeal neuroblastoma with an ipsilateral lymph node metastasis manifesting as a growing neck mass in the retropharyngeal space in an 11-month old infant.…”

Intracranial route of a cervical neuroblastoma through skull base foramina

“…Cervical origins for this type of tumor are relatively uncommon (5 %) compared with other reported sites: abdomen (65 %), thorax (15 %), and pelvis (5 %) [1]. The imaging of primary cervical neuroblastoma has nevertheless been well studied [1][2][3].Intracranial extension of a cervical neuroblastoma via the jugular foramen or carotid canal with potential involvement of cranial nerves IX, XI, or XII has been noted [1], but instances are few, and to our knowledge only one neuroblastoma (a recurrence following primary excision and chemotherapy) has been formally demonstrated to extend through the jugular foramen [4]. Our case also shows that the foramen lacerum may provide intracranial access for extra-axial neuroblastoma, as has been documented with other histologic tumor types [5].…”