Cytologic diagnosis of a melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy occurring in the cranial bones
✍ Scribed by J.D. Rege; Tanuja Shet; H.V. Sawant; L.P. Naik
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 216 KB
- Volume
- 21
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 8755-1039
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✦ Synopsis
Melanotic neutroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, usually benign tumor commonly occurring in the maxilla. MNTIs at unusual sites like the cranium clinically mimic malignant small round cell tumors. Consequently, a correct preoperative cytologic diagnosis of MNTI at these sites helps in the surgical management of the patient.
We report on a cytologically diagnosed case of MNTI in the frontotemporal region of the skull in an infant. Aspirates from the lesion were cellular, with a bimodal population mainly of small neuroblast-like cells admixed with a few large epithelioid cells with melanin granules. In the present case, following the cytologic diagnosis a wide local excision was carried out, and the histologic examination confirmed the cytologic diagnosis.