Abdominal Lymphangioma and Hemangioma in a Newborn.

Abdominal hemangiolymphangioma (HLA) in neonates is a rare condition that demands surgical intervention after a complete preoperative diagnostic approach. The differential diagnosis and the establishment of a therapeutic algorithm is a challenge, both for the neonatologists and the pediatric surgeons, because there is no consensus in the management of HLAs in infancy according to the literature. We report a rare case of abdominal HLA in a female newborn that was admitted to our pediatric surgery department with a prenatal diagnosis of an abdominal cystic tumor. After a thorough preoperative diagnostic approach, the neonate underwent an explorative laparotomy and lesion excision with simultaneous splenectomy due to the operative findings. The neonate had an uncomplicated postoperative period and is free of recurrence a year after. Only the pathology examination can reveal the HLA diagnosis. When a total surgical excision is evitable, a close follow-up follows an uncomplicated postoperative hospitalization.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNT1) arising in the skull. Short review of two cases.

INTRODUCTION: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNT1) is a rare congenital pigmented neoplasm of neural crest origin, locally aggressive, and rapidly growing that develops during the first year of life. It most commonly arises from the maxilla, the cranial vault, and the mandible. Early diagnosis and radical surgery are critical for a long-term outcome. METHODS: A literature search through PUBMED revealed 43 cases of MNT1 arising in the skull. We reviewed the available literature and studied the presenting symptoms, diagnostic procedures, treatment, rates of recurrences, malignancy, and data of follow-up. We report two further cases of infants aged 4 and 10 months, respectively, with MNT1 arising from the cranial vault who underwent radical excision of the lesion. CONCLUSION: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy should be included in the differential diagnosis of skull lesions in infants. Radical surgery must be considered as the treatment of choice and close follow-up for at least 2 years is necessary.