Comparison of the CT features between the retroperitoneal ganglioneuroblastoma and neuroblastoma in children

Objective: To compare the CT features of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroblastoma (GNB) and neuroblastoma (NB) in children, and summarize the differentiations between them. Methods: From November 2007 to November 2011, 19 patients with GNB and 21 patients with NB proven pathologically were enrolled in the study. The CT data of GNB and NB were analyzed retrospectively. These tumor parameters in CT included lesion location, size, shape, margin, calcification, across central line, style of contrast enhancement, degree of contrast enhancement, presence of small vessels in or around the tumor arranged in clumps or in line, tumor embolus, adjacent organs invasion or metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and relationship between tumor and surrounding great vessels. These parameters of both groups were compared by χ² and t test. Results: In GNB group,11 patients were located in adrenal gland and 8 patients in the retroperitoneal sympathetic chain; however, in NB group, 18 patients were located in adrenal gland and 3 patients in the retroperitoneal sympathetic chain. The difference were statistical significances in the incidence rate of regular morphology, clear border, vessel encased by tumor, vessels displaced, presence of small vessels in /around the tumor arranged in clumps or in line, adjacent organs invasion or viscera metastasis, lymph node metastasis between NB (6/21, 7/21, 14/21, 7/21, 11/21, 10/21, and 11/21, respectively) and GNB (12/19, 13/19, 6/19, 13/19, 4/19, 3/19 and 4/19, respectively) (P<0.05). However, there was no statistical significance in size, calcification, across central line, contrast enhancement type, contrast enhancement degree between them (P>0.05). Conclusions: NB are more likely located at adrenal gland and presented a higher incidence rate of presence of small vessels in or around the tumor which arranged in clumps or in line, vessel encased by tumor, adjacent organs invasion or metastasis and lymph node metastasis. Regular morphology, clear border and vessels displaced are more frequently observed in GNB. (authors)