title: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: A rare case report.
abstract: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a relatively uncommon osteolytic-pigmented neoplasm that primarily affects the jaws of infants. The early onset and its rapid disfiguring spread necessitate early diagnosis. A 4-month-old male child reported with the complaint of swelling in the right back tooth region of the upper jaw, which rapidly increased in size causing disfigurement of the face. Radiographic examination showed a diffuse osteolytic radiolucent lesion in the right maxilla and displacement and dysmorphic changes in the developing primary tooth buds. Wide surgical excision was performed under general anesthesia. Histopathological report revealed characteristic large pigmented epitheloid cells (melanocyte like cells). The biphasic tumor cell population arranged in a background of fibrous connective tissue stroma is suggestive of MNTI involving the cancellous bone. Early diagnosis and management of such aggressive tumors precludes significant morbidity of the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: E Rajendra
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meghna Institute of Dental Sciences, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: M Suresh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aduri
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentistry, Kamineni Institute of Dental Sciences, Narketpally, Nizamabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sreelakshmi
keywords: Benign tumor of infancy; melanotic epithelial odontome; melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy; melanotic prognoma; pigmented ameloblastoma; retinal anlage tumor; vanillylmandelic acid