[Discovery of a neuroblastoma producing cardiogenic shock in a 2-month-old child]

A two-month-old male child presented a severe heart failure associated with a malignant hypertension. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass connected to the left adrenal gland. CT scan showed a tumor of 7 x 6 x 8 cm, forcing back both the left kidney and the aorta. A biopsy allowed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma without MYCN oncogene amplification. Intensive care stabilized the hemodynamic situation. Under chemotherapy the tumor volume decreased significantly and complete surgical excision became possible. Three years after diagnosis, the patient remained in complete remission.

Clinical presentation of this neuroblastoma was extremely uncommon. The catecholamines produced by the tumoral cells could induce an increase of the myocardiac work following the left ventricule post charge increase. Theses mechanisms could be synergistic for a myocardial exhaustion.