[Melanotic progonoma of the maxillary: presentation of a case]

Male patient, two months of age, is affected by a tumour on the left side of the mandible, which has quickly grown over the last month. There are no other clinical pathological signs. A thorough exploration, the radiographic, tomographic and tomodensitometrical tests show the presence of a tumour on the maxilla. It was of low density, encapsulated and shifting the germinal teeth. Surgical removal reveals a melanotic neuroectodermal tumour typical of childhood. The tumour recurred in the same location and was actually larger, less than a month after the operation. A new screening is done for vanilmandelic acid and radiographies of the skull base and skeletal series were negatives. The patient is operated on again, with the same histological diagnosis. The diagnosis and treatment are discussed.