Chan SC, Chan KL, Peh WC
Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
Title
Clinics in diagnostic imaging (31). Adrenal neuroblastoma.
Source
Singapore Med J 1997 Nov;38(11):504-508
Abstract
A 3-year-old girl presented with epigastric pain and physical examination showed a
hard right upper quadrant mass. Urine VMA and HVA were found to be raised. CT
scan showed a large mass arising from the right adrenal gland, with necrotic areas
and ring calcification There was midline extension. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma
was confirmed by bone marrow aspiration biopsy. As the patient had inoperable stage
IV neuroblastoma, she was treated with multi-drug chemotherapy. Follow-up CT scan
showed excellent response to the chemotherapy, and the tumour was successfully
resected. Harvesting of autologous peripheral bone marrow stem cells, megatherapy
with Melphalan, and marrow rescue with the stem cells were effective. The child has
been well for three years to date. The clinical and imaging features of neuroblastoma,
particularly the role of imaging in staging, are emphasised.