Unilateral facial swelling in an infant.
The melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI) is an uncommon, usually benign neoplasm which is most commonly found in the maxilla. We describe the case of a 6-month-old boy who was referred with a swiftly increasing swelling of the left cheek. After imaging and biopsy, MNTI was confirmed, and surgical resection was performed. Literature demonstrates that most MNTIs occur in the head and neck area and most of those occur in the maxilla. Although most cases are benign, 6.5% are malignant with metastatic disease. Treatment and outcome are discussed in detail. The case highlights the importance of making the diagnosis MNTI early on in order to achieve an optimal outcome.
Department of Maxilla-Facial Surgery, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois, Bâtiment hospitalier, Rue du Bugnon 46, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. d.zweifel@gmx.ch
Daniel Fritz
DF
Zweifel
Sabine
S
Kroiss-Benninger
Christian
C
Kellenberger
Marius Gustav
MG
Bredell
D002610:Cheek / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D017600:Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery