Neuroblastoma masquerading as a retroperitoneal Salmonella abscess.
Symptomatic Salmonella infections usually manifest as self-limited gastrointestinal distress. Patients with chronic systemic illnesses or those who are immunosuppressed may rarely present with Salmonella infection as distant suppurative abscesses. We present a previously healthy Armenian boy who came to medical attention with abdominal pain, fever, and anemia. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan showed a cystic suprarenal mass that was surgically explored and found to be a retroperitoneal Salmonella abscess. Postoperative CT scan showed resolving inflammation. A 6-month follow-up CT showed a large suprarenal tumor, which at exploration was found to be neuroblastoma. To our knowledge, Salmonella has never been reported presenting as a solitary retroperitoneal abscess, and neuroblastoma has not been described presenting as a Salmonella abscess. The patient is also unusual because the abscess contained a species unusual for suppurative salmonellosis.
Ford
E G
EG
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, University of Southern California Medical School 90027.
Senac
M O
MO
Isaacs
H
H
Mahour
G H
GH
Ross
L
L
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space; D012480:Salmonella Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012477:Salmonella enteritidis