Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy: a rare maxillary alveolar tumour

Abstract

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy is a rare, but usually benign, pigmented neoplasm occurring in the first few months of life. The most frequent site is anterior maxillary alveolar ridge. It should be differentiated from other head and neck neoplasms of infants. Computed tomography and fine-needle aspiration cytology are the choice of investigations while two-cell population of neuroblasts and melanocytes on histology confirms the diagnosis. Treatment is early conservative surgical excision with long-term follow-up to detect recurrence and malignant transformation. A classical case of a 7-month-old infant is described with a brief review of the literature.