Poorly differentiated pediatric head and neck neuroblastoma: a diagnostic dilemma

Primary pediatric head and neck neuroblastoma is rare, with metastatic disease being the more common mode of involvement in this anatomic region. Poorly differentiated neuroblastoma initially presenting in head and neck locations presents a diagnostic dilemma, especially when evidence of primary disease in typical abdominal, retroperitoneal and thoracic sites is lacking. This tumor cannot easily be distinguished from the other common pediatric small round cell malignancies that may originate in or metastasize to the head and neck. Recent years have seen great strides in the immunohistochemical as well as cytogenetic characterization of certain pediatric small round cell lesions. A never before reported solitary, poorly differentiated neuroblastoma of the right parotid gland in a 20-month-old female is presented in order to familiarize the otolaryngologist with the modern diagnostic armamentarium available for the accurate characterization, and thus appropriate workup and treatment of this disease.