Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 9, 2025
Intracranial Orthotopic Allografting of Medulloblastoma Cells in Immunocompromised Mice
Published on: October 3, 2010
Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy in the mandible: A case report
Ryoko Takeuchi1, Akinori Funayama1, Yohei Oda1
1Division of Reconstructive Surgery for Oral and Maxillofacial Region, Faculty of Dentistry & Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
Rationale:
Melanocytic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy (MNTI) is a rare benign pigmented neoplasm that arises from the neural crest and has an aggressive growth pattern. It is predominantly seen in infants under 1 year of age, and the most common site of involvement is the maxilla. The currently accepted treatment is removal by surgical resection. Herein, we report a case of MNTI that involved the anterior alveolar ridge of the mandible in a 6-month-old infant.
Patient Concerns:
A case of a 6-month-old male child with a huge mass in the anterior alveolar ridge of the mandible.
Diagnosis:
The tumor was diagnosed using histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques on the biopsy specimen obtained following incisional biopsy. Based on the findings, a final diagnosis of MNTI was established.
Interventions:
Radical resection of the tumor was performed, after determining the extent of resection by referring to the mandibular 3D model created using the pre-operative CT data.
Outcomes:
The postoperative course was uneventful, and no recurrence has been observed to date for more than 4 years after surgery.
Lessons:
This case emphasizes that early diagnosis and radical surgery are critical to the effective treatment, as MNTI exhibits rapid and destructive growth. It also requires careful and close follow-up because of high recurrence rates.
