Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome associated with Hirschsprung's disease and neuroblastoma: case of multiple neurocristopathies

T Rohrer, D Trachsel, G Engelcke… - Pediatric …, 2002 - Wiley Online Library
T Rohrer, D Trachsel, G Engelcke, J Hammer
Pediatric pulmonology, 2002Wiley Online Library
We report on a male infant with the rare combined occurrence of congenital central
hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS or Ondine's curse), Hirschsprung's disease (HD), and
neuroblastoma. Current therapeutical options leave no doubt that children with isolated
forms of CCHS, HD, or neuroblastoma must be treated, but management decisions and the
ethical dilemma become more difficult with the presence of multiple neurocristopathies. Our
patient was dependent on mechanical ventilation and total parenteral nutrition, when a …
Abstract
We report on a male infant with the rare combined occurrence of congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS or Ondine's curse), Hirschsprung's disease (HD), and neuroblastoma. Current therapeutical options leave no doubt that children with isolated forms of CCHS, HD, or neuroblastoma must be treated, but management decisions and the ethical dilemma become more difficult with the presence of multiple neurocristopathies. Our patient was dependent on mechanical ventilation and total parenteral nutrition, when a neuroblastoma was diagnosed at age 5 months. We initiated an attempt at curative chemotherapy. The tumor failed to respond to recommended chemotherapeutic regimens, and the patient died at 11 months of age. We emphasize the importance of screening CCHS patients for associated illnesses such as neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma at time of diagnosis. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2002; 33:71–76. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Wiley Online Library