Case Report - Volume 2 - Issue 1

Congenital Neuroblastoma: A Case Report

Mohammed Al Saqoub1*; Fadiah Alkhattabi2; Alaa M. Kabbani2; Judy AlRukby2

1Depertment of General pediatric, pediatric care.
2Cardiovascular Research Program, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Received Date : Nov 15, 2021
Accepted Date : Jan 17, 2022
Published Date: Jan 24, 2022
Copyright:©Mohammed Al Saqoub 2022

*Corresponding Author : Mohammed Al Saqoub, Depertment of General pediatric, pediatric care.
Email
:
moalsaqoub@kfshrc.edu.sa
DOI: Doi.org/10.55920/2771-019X/1067

Introduction

Neuroblastoma (NB), a tumor of primitive neuroectodermal cells, is diagnosed exclusively in children and is the third most common childhood cancer and the most common neonatal malignancy that accounts for >20% of neonatal cancer [1]. The presentation of NB can vary widely, as it could spontaneously regress, mature to a benign ganglioneuroma, or metastasize aggressively. NB occurring in the perinatal period frequently carries a good outcome with most of the tumors carrying normal MYCN copy number and hyperdiploid DNA index [2]. The mean age at diagnosis is 17.3 months, however a review of the literature revealed a sparsity of data reported on congenital cases of adrenal neuroblastomas with in-utero liver metastasis. We describe a case of a female infant born at full-term in June 2018 with Congenital Neuroblastoma on the right adrenal along with extensive metastatic deposits on the liver.

Clinical Summary

A second uneventful pregnancy of a young mother resulted in the vaginal delivery of a 2.5kg female baby at full-term. She was delivered in Najran at a primary care hospital. Our patient presented with abdominal distention at time of birth. On examination, she had no signs of jaundice or pallor. Her vital signs were normal. Her abdomen was enlarged and measured at 39cm. Upon palpating the abdomen, hepatic border was palpable 8cm below the costal margin. The abdomen was non-tender and soft in consistency. Other abdominal organs were not palpable. An Ultrasound Abdomen was performed showing heterogeneous increased parenchymal echogenicity of the liver with moderate enlargement, no focal hepatic lesion identified. Right adrenal mass lesion was identified for further evaluation. A CT Chest Abdomen Pelvis was also performed revealing hepatomegaly with diffuse heterogeneous infiltrative lesion with bilateral suprarenal homogeneous soft tissue lesions likely representing adrenal hemorrhage [figure 1]. She was initially admitted at our hospital as an elective case of right sided hematoma for further investigation. During her hospitalization, she developed frequent episodes of hypoglycemia down to 2mmol/L. A liver biopsy was performed, the sample consisted of three irregular-shaped pink-tan soft tissue biopsies, measuring in aggregate 1x0.3x0.2 cm. The sample confirmed metastatic neuroblastoma [figure 2]. Immunohistochemistry showed positive for chromogranin and synaptophysin [figure 3]. Staining for TdT, CD99, CK AND WT-1 were negative. A sample was sent for Bone Marrow Biopsy that showed no evidence of metastatic involvement. A chromosomal analysis revealed no change in copy number of MYCN. Newborn metabolic screen was unremarkable.

Figure 1: Chest Abdomen Pelvis CT scan.

Figure 2: The sample confirmed metastatic neuroblastoma.

Figure 3: Immunohistochemistry showed positive for chromogranin and synaptophysin.

Discussion

Neuroblastoma is the leading malignant neoplasm of the perinatal period and the second most common solid tumor in childhood following brain tumors [3, 4]. Clinical and biological features of NB occurring in fetuses and neonates differ from that in the older age groups, for they have been documented to have a normal MYCN copy number and hyperdiploid DNA index, both of which are associated with a favorable out-come [1]. Neuroblastoma in the older children are more commonly diploid tumors with amplification of MYCN oncogene, connoting an advanced disease stage and a poor outcome. Amplification of the MYCN oncogene is present in approximately 25% of neuroblastomas [4]. Studies have documented that most fetuses present with a favorable stage of the disease with a good prognosis. We hope in future researches to identify risk factors associated with congenital NB, as well as factors associated with a favorable prognosis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we describe a case of congenital NB present at birth with metastasis to the liver parenchyma. After completion of chemotherapy the patient showed good response to treatment with improvement of the liver size and echogenicity. The patient is still being followed up.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Hadeel Almanea for assisting and supporting this research endeavor in regards to providing us with the histopathology slides. We would also like to thank the radiology department for their support.

References

  1. Sul HJ, Kang Dy. Congenital neuroblastoma with multiple metastases: a case report. J Korean Med Sci. 2003; 18(4):618-20.
  2. Sharma D, Yadav J, Garg E. Unusual presentation of congenital neuroblastoma as persistent respiratory distress and Fever from age of 13 days in an infant: a case report. Iran J Pediatr. 2014; 24(6):787-9.
  3. Wader JV, Kumbhar SS, Shukla DB, Mavi S. Disseminated Congenital Neuroblastoma - An Autopsy Case Report. J Clin Diagn Res. 2015; 9(5):ED03-4.
  4. Costa AD, Zerbini MCN, Cristofani L. Metastatic congenital neuroblastoma associated with in situ neuroblastoma: case report and review of literature. Autops Case Rep. 2014; 4(2):27-33. Published 2014 Jun 30. [DOI:10.4322/acr.2014.017].
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