Rehabilitation following surgical management of MNETI: A splint in time saves nine!

Abstract

Introduction: Melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI) is a rare, rapidly growing pigmented neoplasm of neural crest origin generally arising in infants during the first year of life. The rehabilitation of the anterior defect is necessary to circumvent feeding problems. The area is also a site for primary growth of maxilla and placing a hard splint would restrict the same. We have used a novel way to use a soft splint to overcome this issue with follow up and re-fabrication. Case: We report a 7 months old male who presented with a rapidly growing mass history of a rapidly growing mass in the upper front part of the jaw A biopsy showed melanoticneuroectodermal tumour, and complete resection with negative margins was subsequently achieved. The patient was reviewed at follow up with a magnetic resonance imaging, which showed no residual remanants. Rehabilitation was done with a soft splint to avoid restriction of maxillary growth. Conclusion: Due to its rapid growth potential and locally destructive behaviour, early diagnosis is extremely important to limit local expansion. The treatment of choice for melanotic neuroectodermal tumour of infancy (MNTI) is surgical excision. Rehabilitation is also important with due attention to avoiding restriction maxillary growth, this was overcome by use of soft splint which has scantly been reported in literature.