title: Cytologic diagnosis of a melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy occurring in the cranial bones.
abstract: Melanotic neutroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, usually benign tumor commonly occurring in the maxilla. MNTIs at unusual sites like the cranium clinically mimic malignant small round cell tumors. Consequently, a correct preoperative cytologic diagnosis of MNTI at these sites helps in the surgical management of the patient. We report on a cytologically diagnosed case of MNTI in the frontotemporal region of the skull in an infant. Aspirates from the lesion were cellular, with a bimodal population mainly of small neuroblast-like cells admixed with a few large epithelioid cells with melanin granules. In the present case, following the cytologic diagnosis a wide local excision was carried out, and the histologic examination confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:280-283.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, B.Y.L. Nair Ch. Hospital and T.N. Medical College, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Rege
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shet
authors.forename: H V
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Sawant
authors.forename: L P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Naik
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D017600:Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology*