Neonatal appendicitis presenting as a painless abdominal mass

• Main Authors: Anurekha G. Hall, Jeffrey P. Otjen, Nicholas A. Vitanza, Kimberly J. Riehle, Navin R. Pinto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2021-09-01
• Series: Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports
• Subjects: Neonatal appendicitis; Cystic neuroblastoma; Abdominal mass
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213576621001858

Cystic neuroblastoma, characterized by large cystic lesions typically originating from the adrenal gland, is a rare entity often diagnosed in the perinatal period. The majority of cases are localized, and complete surgical resection is curative in these cases. We present the case of a 3-week-old male infant who on imaging was found to have a cystic right suprarenal mass that was concerning for cystic neuroblastoma. At exploration, it was determined that this mass was a right upper quadrant abscess secondary to perforated appendicitis. Two years after his operation, the patient is doing well with no long-term complications.