The Different Features of Congenital Neuroblastomas: Report about the Sonographic Diagnosis of Three Cases

Zusammenfassung

Wir berichten über die sonographische Diagnose von drei Kindern mit kongenitalen Neuroblastomen. Bei zwei asymptomatischen Kindern wurde ein rechtsseitiger Nebennierentumor diagnostiziert. Ein Kind hatte einen mediastinalen Tumor, der die Trachea komprimierte und eine intubationspflichtige postnatale Dyspnoe verursachte. Die Tumore waren sonographisch echoarm und wiesen keine Verkalkungen auf. Die beiden Nebennierentumore enthielten kleine Zysten. Alle Tumore waren farbdopplersonographisch gut perfundiert und unterschieden sich somit von nicht durchbluteten Nebennierenblutungen. Das rechtsseitige mediastinale Neuroblastom war in die Foramina intervertebralia und den Spinalkanal eingewachsen, ohne das Rückenmark zu komprimieren. Alle drei Tumore wurden mit gutem klinischen Erfolg erfolgreich operativ entfernt.

Abstract

We report on three infants with congenital neuroblastoma. Two clinically asymptomatic infants showed a suprarenal right-sided mass, one infant had a mediastinal tumour with tracheal compression causing immediate postnatal dyspnoea. Diagnosis was established by ultrasonography showing hypoechoic tumours without significant calcifications. The two suprarenal masses were characterised by small cystic areas. Colour coded Doppler sonography revealed perfusion of the tumours distinguishing the suprarenal masses from adrenal haemorrhage. The right-sided mediastinal neuroblastoma showed infiltration of the intervertebral foramina and spinal canal without spinal cord compression. All tumours were surgically removed with favourable clinical outcome.

Key words

congenital neuroblastoma - sonographic diagnosis - colour Doppler sonography

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