A three-year-old girl patient who presented with a two week history of ataxia and opsomyoclonus (loss of coordination and rapid-random eye movements) visited me. Physical exam was normal, and no palpable masses or lymphadenopathy was detected. All labs (including CBC & Chem panel) were within normal limits, except for a low MCV. Head CT was done initially, but was normal. CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis (with contrast) was then ordered.
Differential Diagnosis showed mass in the para-aortic region with calcification. Therefore considering neuroblastoma (66% have calcification) or a retroperitoneal teratoma. Can consider aortic aneuryism, but this mass did not enhance with contrast. Patient underwent surgical removal of the mass as well as some pelvic, para-iliac, para-caval, and peri-aortic lymph nodes without any complications. Mass was a neuroblastoma with unfavorable histology and…
