Functionally Active Intrathoracic Neuroblastoma.

It is apparent that, under certain circumstances so far undefined, neuroblastomata may be associated with a secretion of pressor amines in sufficient amounts to cause significant symptoms. Mason, Hart-Mercer, Millar, Strang and Wynne (1957) reported an infant with an adrenaline secreting intrathoracic neuroblastoma which was successfully removed. The preoperative symptoms, sweating and pallor, were completely relieved by extirpation of the tumour. We wish to report on a child in whom we were able to reach the correct diagnosis before operation by referring to the description by Mason and his colleagues. The symptomatology, situation and histology of the tumour and the postoperative course were similar to the infant described by Mason et al. (1957). As these authors stated, the importance of these findings appears to lie beyond their immediate interest.