Esthesioneuroblastoma presenting as an orbital mass in a young child

A 3‐year‐old boy presented with uniocular proptosis and ophthalmoplegia. Investigation revealed a mass involving the right orbit with extension into the left orbit and paranasal sinuses, and intracranial extension involving both frontal lobes. Biopsy of an enlarged cervical node and the intranasal mass revealed esthesioneuroblastoma. This tumor has been reported rarely in a child this age, and only 12 case reports document patients under 10 years of age. The presentation as an orbital mass is previously unreported and must now be considered in the differential diagnosis of proptosis in childhood. The usual clinical, radiological, and pathological features of olfactory esthesioneuroblastoma are reviewed. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.