Study of the Association between Congenital Heart Defects and Neuroblastoma in Abdominal Sonography

Abstract Background A higher prevalence of congenital heart defects (CHD) in neuroblastoma patients in general population is reported in some publications, however, some authors did not find such an association. The evidence for this relation comes from the observation that, the neural crest cells accompany to the development of the heart and neuroblastoma as well. Materials and Methods We prospectively investigated this relation for the first time, in a cohort of 114 patients with CHD. Echocardiographic evaluations were made as two-dimensional morphological examination and the patients with CHD were evaluated with through physical examination, especially for the stigmata of neuroblastoma, telecardiogram and abdominal ultrasonography. Results In a period of 6 months, 114 children were diagnosed as CHD. Ventricular septal defect (VSD), atrial septal defect (ASD), pulmonary stenosis (PS) and tetrology of Fallot (TOF) were the most common diagnoses. We did not find any evidence for the association between CHD and neuroblastoma. Conclusion The possible association between the two entities was generally investigated by retrospective evaluation of echocardiographic studies in neuroblastoma patients. However, according to our preliminary results the presence of CHD is not a predilection for neuroblastoma. Detailed laboratory and radiological studies for neuroblastoma are not necessary in patients with CHD.