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Trigeminal neurinomas in infants: report of two cases
C J Pérez-Díaz1, F J Villarejo, A M Pascual
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital del Nino Jesús, Madrid, Spain.
Insights
Trigeminal neurinomas are rare in infants. This study reports two infant cases, the youngest documented, highlighting unique clinical presentations and the importance of early diagnosis for these rare pediatric tumors.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Oncology
Background:
- Trigeminal neurinomas are rare tumors affecting the trigeminal nerve.
- Incidence in infants is exceptionally low, with limited documented cases.
- Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric neuro-oncology.
Observation:
- Two infant girls, aged 3 and 6 months, presented with trigeminal neurinoma.
- Presenting symptoms included temporal cranial vault bulging, focal seizures, and exophthalmus.
- One patient exhibited a fronto-orbital neurofibroma and family history of von Recklinghausen's disease.
Findings:
- The reported cases represent the youngest patients diagnosed with trigeminal neurinoma to date.
- These are the first reported instances of trigeminal neurinoma in infants.
- Clinical and radiological features, alongside therapeutic strategies, were analyzed.
Implications:
- These cases expand the understanding of trigeminal neurinoma presentation in very young children.
- Highlights the need for heightened clinical suspicion in infants with relevant symptoms.
- Contributes to the limited literature on infantile trigeminal nerve tumors.
Abstract:
Two cases of trigeminal neurinoma in two infant girls aged 3 and 6 months are reported. Both presented with temporal cranial vault bulging at birth. The 6-month-old patient suffered onset of focal fits 1 month before admission and her neurological examination revealed no abnormalities. The 3-month-old patient had right exophthalmus and a subcutaneous fronto-orbital plexiform neurofibroma at birth. Neurological examination disclosed a sensory deficit of the first trigeminal nerve division. She also had a family medical history of von Reckling-hausen's disease. The incidence of trigeminal neurinomas in children is reviewed. The patients in these two cases are the youngest recorded; the cases are the only ones reported in infants. Clinical, radiological, and therapeutic aspects are discussed.