title: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) of the hard palate: presentation and management.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the presentation and management of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) of the hard palate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case presentation and literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 6-month-old girl presented with a slow growing, non-tender anterior oral hard palate mass. Radiologic imaging revealed a well-circumscribed cystic lesion containing teeth. After excision, histopathologic and electron microscopic evaluation revealed MNTI. No recurrence was seen at 12-month follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case and a review of the literature reveal MNTI to be a rare, benign hard palate tumor, which may present as a smooth, firm, painless, slow-growing anterior palatal lesion. Imaging reveals a well-circumscribed cystic lesion. Complete excision should be curative. Management requires attention to the potential need for palatal reconstruction, orthodontic care and correction of secondary nasal deformities.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104-4399, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puchalski
authors.forename: U K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carpentieri
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Handler
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000473:pathology*; D017599:Neuroectodermal Tumors / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010159:Palate / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*