Case Report (Open access)

SSR Inst. Int. J. Life. Sci., 5(3): 1522-1526, May 2019

 

Cutaneous Presentation of Neuroblastoma in 8 Months Old Boy:  A Rare Case Report

 

Mahendra Singh1, Lubna Khan2, Swetlana Sachan3, Vandana Mishra4, Anveksha Sachan3

 

1Professor & Head, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India

2Professor, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India

3Junior Resident III, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India

4Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India

 

*Address for Correspondence: Dr. Lubna khan, Professor, Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, India

E-mail: swetlana.sachan@gmail.com  

 

 

ABSTRACT- Background: Neuroblastoma is the neurogenic, extracranial solid tumor of infancy and children emerging anywhere along withthe peripheral sympathetic nervous system.

Methods: An eight months old boy presented with chief complaints of sub-cutaneous non-tender nodule on flexor aspect of forearm, pain and fullness of abdomen, emesis, mild bone pain. Complete blood profile and other biochemical parameter were within normal limits.

Results: Fine needle aspiration cytology revealed tumour cells having high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio bare nuclei, which were round to oval in shape. Homer wright rosette arrangement was formed by tumor cells that were radially arranged in a circle. The neuropil, which was stained as eosinophilic material was seen in the center of rosette arrangement.

Conclusions: Hence on the basis of age and rare cutaneous presentation along with cytological findings; clinical features and radiological findings we can provide a diagnosis of metastasis neuroblastoma.

Key Words: Extracranial, Eosinophilic fibrillary material, Homer wright rosette, Neuropil, Neuroblastoma

 

Introduction- Neuroblastoma is the third most common neurogenic, an extracranial solid tumor of infancy and children emerging anywhere along the peripheral sympathetic nervous system [1]. It accounts for 8 - 10% of all cancers in children [2]. Nearly 50% of neuroblastomas are diagnosed in children younger than 5 years of age [3]. Its diagnosis becomes poor and poor as the age advances. It is sporadic or non-familial in origin [4].

They arise from primitive cells and are seen in the adrenal medulla and sympathetic ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system. These aggressive cells begin to grow uncontrollably. Neuroblastomas may lead to signs such as swelling in the face, neck, arms and upper chest, headaches, dizziness, changes to consciousness, drooping eyelids and small pupils. They may also lead to signs of paraneoplastic syndromes that include constant diarrhea, fever, high blood pressure (causing irritability), rapid heartbeat, flushing of the skin and sweating. Because neuroblastomas consist of embryonic cells, they are especially common among small children: up to 90% of the patients are younger than six years old [5].

 

Case Report- An 8 months old boy was admitted in the Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College Kanpur, India in the month of March to April 2019 with a subcutaneous non-tender nodule onthe flexor aspect of forearm for 2 months, with chief complaints of pain in abdomen, fullness of abdomen, emesis, weight loss, anorexia, mild bone pain. Complete blood profile was within normal limits and other biochemical parameters were also within normal limits. Multi slice spiral C.T. of the abdomen showed well defined, lobulated heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion in relation to the superomedial aspect of the right kidney with few calcification and encasement of abdominal vessels with skeletal metastasis suggesting neuroblastoma. Ultrasound of the patient revealed a solid, isoechoic to hypoechoic mass 3x2 cm in diameter was located near the right adrenal gland.

 

 

Fig. 1: Showing red cutaneous nodular swelling in the flexor aspect of forearm

    

 

Fig. 2 (B, C): Ultrasonography reveals well defined isoechoic to hypoechoic rounded mass lesion noted in right suprarenal region with sharply defined margin with upper pole of kidney and posterior segment of right lobe of liver. No evidence of any internal echogenic foci or cystic degeneration

 

Fine needle aspiration cytology

On Aspiration- Blood mixed material was obtained.

 

Microscopic examination- Good cellularity smear revealed tumor cells having bare nuclei which were round to oval in shape. Homer wright rosettes arrangements were formed by tumor cells that are radially arranged in acircle. The neuropil (eosinophilicfibrillary material) was seen in the center of rosette arrangement. Red blood cells were seen around tumor cells. These tumor cells showed increased nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio and their nuclei were round to oval in shape with anisokaryosis, nuclear chromatin was granular.

 

 

Fig. 3 (D, E): On 10x magnification showing scattered as well as clusters of small round neuroblastic cells, few of them forming rosette like structure. Background shows eosinophilic fibrillary material

 

 

Fig. 4 (F,G): On 40x magnification showing clusters of round to oval cells forming rosette like structure and centre of these rosettes are filled with neuropil (Eosinophilic material). These cells are having round monomorphic nuclei with granular chromatin and with scant cytoplasm

 

Discussion- The median age of diagnosis is 22 months and 80% of children are diagnosed <4 years of age [2]. Clinical presentation of Neuroblastoma reflects the tumor's primary location and extent of metastatic decrease, if present. The most common primary for Neuroblastoma is abdomen, which may metastasize to bone, lymph node, liver, intracranial site, orbital sites, lungs and central nervous system [6].

Clinically the Neuroblastoma presents proptosis, periorbital ecchymosis, abdominal distension, bone pain, fever, anaemia, hypertension, subcutaneous nodule, watery diarrhea [7]. In children, these signs and symptoms are more severe and widespread (as it metastasizes rapidly) whereas in adolescents there was a greater frequency of metastasis to lung or brain [7-9]. Multiple cytogenetic abnormalities, amplification of the n-myconcogene and changes in normal diploid chromosomal content have been identified as a part of the disease process [10].

Neuroblastoma is one among the thousands of such conditions diagnosed so far which is characterized by rapid metastasis leading to proptosis and abdominal distension. In children these signs and symptoms are more severe and widespread as it metastasize rapidly where as in adolescents where is greater frequency of metastasis to lung or brain [11,12]. Surgical therapy is the preferable treatment for stage 1-2Α patients, while chemotherapy and radiotherapy are usually given to stage 2B-3-4 patients [13].

Neuroblastoma have a very broad spectrum of clinical behavior which ranges from spontaneous regression to maturation of a benign ganglioneuroma, or aggressive disease with metastasis leading to death.The best prognosis is awarded to newborn followed by infant and toddler. The children over age five are subjected to poor prognosis [14]. The chemoresistant and relapsed cases have poor prognosis [15].

 

ConclusionS- The prognosis of patient with Neuroblastoma depends on their age and stage of disease at the time of diagnosis. On the basis of FNAC, clinical and radiological features, we can provide a definite diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Neuroblastoma have a very broad spectrum of clinical behavior which ranges from spontaneous regression to maturation of a benign ganglioneuroma, or aggressive disease with metastasis leading to death.In low risk patients, baseline treatment was surgical re-section with chemotherapy. For high risk pediatric patients, aggressive surgical re-section, high dose chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell therapy and immunologic therapy is recommended.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS- All authors were thankful to the Department of Pathology, GSVM Medical College Kanpur, India for help in writing the case report.

 

CONTRIBUTION OF AUTHORS

Research concept- Dr. Swetlana Sachan

Research design- Dr. Lubna Khan

Supervision- Dr. Lubna Khan

Materials- Dr. Vandana Mishra

Data collection- Dr. Anveksha Sachan

Data analysis and interpretation- Dr. Lubna Khan

Literature search- Dr. SwetlanaSachan

Writing article- Dr. Anveksha Sachan

Critical review- Dr. Mahendra Singh

Article editing- Dr. Swetlana Sachan

Final approval- Dr. Swetlana Sachan

 

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