[Foetal paraspinal neuroblastoma: A case report of autopsy findings].

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is a rare tumour originating from neural crest cells, primarily occurring in the adrenal glands and sympathetic ganglia, with prenatal diagnosis often complicated by the difficulty in distinguishing it from other foetal abdominal or paraspinal masses. We present a case of foetal neuroblastoma in a 26-year old woman who, at 36 weeks of gestation, experienced absent foetal movements, leading to ultrasound confirmation of foetal demise with associated effusions. An emergency caesarean section revealed a stillborn male foetus with a previously undetected encapsulated mass in the posterior mediastinum, which was confirmed as neuroblastoma through histopathological analysis. This case highlights the challenges in prenatal diagnosis, as the tumour went unnoticed despite routine imaging. It contributes to the limited literature on foetal neuroblastoma, underscoring the need for further research on effective management strategies.