title: An unusual case of neuroblastoma: a 17-year-old adolescent presented with bilateral diffuse lung metastasis at initial diagnosis.
abstract: Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most frequently diagnosed neoplasm during infancy and its incidence declines within the first 3-5 years of life. It can be rarely diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. Adolescents have advanced stage of disease, higher frequency of uncommon metastatic sites such as lungs, and worse outcomes. Herein, we describe an unusual case of NB in a 17-year-old adolescent presented with lung metastasis at diagnosis. The patient was diagnosed with stage IV NB. Thorax high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan revealed irregular septal thickening with ground glass opacity consistent with pulmonary parenchymal metastases. After the first cycle of chemotherapy he developed pulmonary hemorrhage and respiratory distress. He required ventilation support and mechanical ventilation was started. Metastatic nodules were determined on second thorax HRCT. We lost the patient due to septic shock and multiple organ failure 2 months after diagnosis. In conclusion, adolescents with NB have unfavorable prognosis. These patients may have lung metastases at diagnosis. Therefore, detailed chest imaging at initial diagnosis is crucial.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care , Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Çağlar
authors.initials: Ç
authors.lastname: Ödek
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care , Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tanıl
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kendirli
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pekpak
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care , Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ayhan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yaman
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Başak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adaklı-Aksoy
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Handan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dinçaslan
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Taçyıldız
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ünal
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care , Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erdal
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: İnce
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Pediatric Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülsan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yavuz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
keywords: adolescent; lung metastasis; neuroblastoma; pulmonary hemorrhage