Lumbar paravertebral tumor in a newborn: congenital lipomatous nevus.

Abstract

Introduction: Skin lesions in close proximity to the lumbosacral region should be assessed in newborns, since they may be the first sign of hidden spinal dysraphism.

Clinical case: We present the case of a newborn without significant prenatal history. On the first day of life, a 1 cm diameter nodular lesion was found at the lumbar level of the right paravertebral region, with a vascular stain surrounding the base of the lesion. Neurological examination was normal. A soft tissue ultrasonography was carried out. It showed no continuity with the lumbar spinal canal. As a result of the lesion increasingly growing, resection was decided upon six months later. Pathological examination confirmed diagnosis - Hoffmann-Zurhelle nevus.

Discussion: Hoffmann-Zurhelle nevus is an infrequent cutaneous hamartomatous lesion in newborns. Treatment is always surgical in order to avoid potential growth-related complications.