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Review
. 2023 Jan;35(1):39-45.
doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2022.12.003. Epub 2022 Dec 16.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: A narrative review of dental aspects

Bader Fatani  1 , Abdulaziz Abdullah Alabood  1 , Rifal Fahad Almuaybid  1 , Reema Mohammed Alsubaie  1 , Rania Kalantan  2
Affiliations
Review

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy: A narrative review of dental aspects

Bader Fatani et al. Saudi Dent J. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumors of infancy (MNTI) are a rare type of benign tumor that affects the head and neck region. MNTI represents (68-80%) of the tumors in the maxillary region. This tumor is usually located in the alveolar crest, skull, mandible, and brain. Although this tumor is considered benign, it can grow rapidly, with a high risk of recurrence and interference with functions of infancy, such as feeding and breathing. It is also frequently harmful to the surrounding soft and hard tissues or adjacent sensitive vital structures. This study aimed to review the pathological, clinical presentation, and treatment of melanotic neuroectodermal tumors in infancy and the role of dentists in these cases.

Keywords: Complication; Dental; Infancy; MNTI; Treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Image showing MNTI that resembles a small round blue cell tumor (Soles et al. 2018).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Image showing swelling in the pre-maxillary region (Chaudhary et al. 2014).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A). The horizontal position of spiral CT, the low-density image of the anterior left maxilla, and the bone destruction (arrow). (B). The horizontal position of spiral CT showed multicentric growth in the lesion (Wang et al. 2022).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Image showing removed lesion with deciduous central incisor (Chaudhary et al. 2014).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
2 years post-excision (Fakuade et al. 2017).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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