Clinical analysis of head and neck neurogenic tumor in childhood

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, imaging features and treatment of neurogenic tumor in chilehood and to improve the experience in diagnosis and treatment for the disease. Method:The twenty-nine inpatients of histopathologically proven neurogenic tumor from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The pathological types, clinical characteristics, imaging findings, and management were analyzed. Result: There were five cases of schwannoma aged from 9 years to 14 years, five cases of neurofibroma aged from 9 months to 9 years, and nineteen cases of neuroblastic tumor aged from 3 months to 5 years in our series. The chief manifestations were soft tissue masses, snore, and Honer syndrome. As the tumors had different components pathologically, on scans they presented as masses with heterogeneous density. Schwannoma showed as oval masses with clear margins, with the characteristic of"tail sign". The imaging findings of neurofibromas showed unclear boundaries and plexiform neurofibromas showed multiple clumps with visible separation. The ultrasonography of neuroblastic tumor was characterized by hypoechoic, heterogeneous and spotty calcification. All the cases underwent surgical resections. In 5 cases of schwannoma, it was confirmed that the tumors originated from the vagus nerve during the operation, which could be completely removed without postoperative complications. Two cases of neurofibromas were completely resected, 2 cases were only partially resected, and 1 case which located at the entrance of the esophagus was resected under supportive laryngoscopic for three times. Thirteen of 19 children with neuroblastogenic tumors underwent resection in our department after chemotherapy, and 2 patients with postoperative recurrence underwent another operation. Conclusion:Neuroblastoma is the most common neurogenic tumor in the head and neck of children. Most neurogenic tumors have their corresponding characteristics on imaging and should be differentiated. Schwannoma has clear boundary and intact capsule, so it is easier to complete resection. The neurofibroma is commonly difficult to remove with safety margin because of its unclear boundaries. Neuroblastoma should be treated according to the lesion range and stage. Most of the lesions are difficult to remove completely due to the wide range, peripheral blood vessels and important nerves. So preoperative chemotherapy is generally required.