Fetal Adrenal Mass on Ultrasound: A Rare Prenatal Challenge

Congenital neuroblastoma is a rare fetal malignancy arising from neural crest cells, most commonly from the adrenal gland. We report a case of a primigravida in whom a left suprarenal mass was incidentally detected on routine third-trimester ultrasonography at 35 weeks’ gestation in an uncomplicated pregnancy, and conservative antenatal management with close fetal surveillance with multidisciplinary care was adopted. The patient delivered a live male neonate at term by cesarean section for failed induction. Postnatal computed tomography demonstrated a solid left adrenal mass with internal calcifications and retroperitoneal extension, without evidence of metastasis. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma was confirmed by ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology. The infant was treated with combination chemotherapy and tolerated the treatment uneventfully and remained well on follow-up. This case highlights the value of antenatal diagnosis, which facilitates early surveillance and management through a multidisciplinary approach, thereby optimizing outcomes in congenital neuroblastoma.

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Publication Details

Journal
Cureus
Published
2026-03-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.105650
Primary Topic
Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Fetal Adrenal Mass on Ultrasound: A Rare Prenatal Challenge

Nalini Arora, Dipankar Saren, Gaurav Khastgir
Cureus
Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
article

Fetal Adrenal Mass on Ultrasound: A Rare Prenatal Challenge

Nalini Arora, Dipankar Saren, Gaurav Khastgir
article en

Abstract

Congenital neuroblastoma is a rare fetal malignancy arising from neural crest cells, most commonly from the adrenal gland. We report a case of a primigravida in whom a left suprarenal mass was incidentally detected on routine third-trimester ultrasonography at 35 weeks’ gestation in an uncomplicated pregnancy, and conservative antenatal management with close fetal surveillance with multidisciplinary care was adopted. The patient delivered a live male neonate at term by cesarean section for failed induction. Postnatal computed tomography demonstrated a solid left adrenal mass with internal calcifications and retroperitoneal extension, without evidence of metastasis. The diagnosis of neuroblastoma was confirmed by ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology. The infant was treated with combination chemotherapy and tolerated the treatment uneventfully and remained well on follow-up. This case highlights the value of antenatal diagnosis, which facilitates early surveillance and management through a multidisciplinary approach, thereby optimizing outcomes in congenital neuroblastoma.

Cureus
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Neuroblastoma Research and Treatments
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