An Unusual Cause of Persistent Wheeze in Infancy: Intrathoracic Neuroblastoma of the Lower Thoracic Sympathetic Chain.

Abstract

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid malignancy of childhood, typically arising from the adrenal medulla or paraspinal sympathetic chain. Although intrathoracic neuroblastoma is uncommon, involvement of the lower thoracic sympathetic chain is particularly rare, with most reported thoracic tumors arising in the upper posterior mediastinum rather than the lower paraspinal region. We report a 10-month-old boy diagnosed with intrathoracic neuroblastoma originating from the paraspinal region at the T12 level, which posed diagnostic challenges due to its rarity and nonspecific presentation. This case highlights the importance of including neuroblastoma in the differential diagnosis of intrathoracic masses in infants.