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Case Reports
. 2023 Mar 19;15(3):e36350.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.36350. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Neuroblastoma Masquerading as a Septic Hip Infection in a Three-Year-Old

Joseph D Lynch  1 , Patrick J Tomboc  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Neuroblastoma Masquerading as a Septic Hip Infection in a Three-Year-Old

Joseph D Lynch et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Metastatic neuroblastoma to the bone and septic joint shares the same incidence in age and clinical symptomology. Here we discuss a three-year-old male who presented with anemia, persistent hip pain, and a refusal to bear weight. A thorough evaluation based on a broad differential diagnosis allowed for an expedient diagnosis of metastatic neuroblastoma. The timely diagnosis allowed for rapid enrolment in a children's oncology group (COG) clinical trial for advanced neuroblastoma. The patient tolerated the therapy without adverse events and remains in remission.

Keywords: chatgpt; chatgpt improved case report; inpatient pediatrics; neuroblastoma; neuroblastoma metastases; pediatric clinical conundrum; pediatric hematology-oncology; pediatric hospital medicine; pediatric septic joint.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. T2 weighted image showing increased marrow enhancement of the right trochanteric area (indicated by the blue arrow) as compared to the left.
T2: Transverse relaxation time
Figure 2
Figure 2. MRI of the right hip/femur demonstrating increased marrow signal on T2. The blue arrow is indicative of the increased signal seen in the more distal femur area as compared to Figure 1.
T2: Transverse relaxation time, MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging
Figure 3
Figure 3. A large, well-defined, calcified, heterogenous mass arising from the right adrenal fossa, measuring consistent with a neuroblastoma. The mass is indicated by a blue arrow and can be seen displacing the right kidney downward.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Screenshot of ChatGPT's response to being asked to provide a differential diagnosis for a pediatric patient with neuroblastoma, including septic hip
Figure 5
Figure 5. ChatGPT's comparison of neuroblastoma and septic hip
Figure 6
Figure 6. ChatGPT's response to how it decides what medical literature to source from
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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