Abstract:

The patient was a G1P1 neonate born at 38 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 3.1 kg and an Apgar score of 10. A pale blue nodule was noted on the vertex of the infant’s head immediately after birth, which was misdiagnosed as a hemangioma at a local hospital. Subsequently, similar cutaneous nodules gradually appeared on skin, and the infant was admitted to the Department of Dermatology of our hospital at the age of 2.5 months. Physical examination showed that no raccoon eyes sign was observed. Multiple pale blue nodules, the size of broad beans, were scattered on the skin firm in texture, smooth in surface, with poor mobility and no tenderness. Skin lesion ultrasound and hepatosplenic ultrasound revealed multiple lesions in the liver, and the infant was then referred to the Department of Oncology. Neuroblastoma was finally confirmed by pathological examination. The infant received chemotherapy combined with surgical treatment, and has been well who was followed up for 10 years after diagnosis. For single pale blue cutaneous nodule in the neonatal period, palpation to evaluate the texture of the nodule is necessary. Firm nodule may indicate the need for timely referral to surgical oncology for screening of neuroblastoma.

Key words: neuroblastoma, infantile hemangioma, solitary skin nodule, pale blue nodule, neonate