Fatal course of undetected Ewing-like sarcoma in a 9-year-old boy with uncharacteristic clinical presentation

Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2022 Sep;18(3):231-239. doi: 10.1007/s12024-021-00437-2. Epub 2021 Nov 15.

Abstract

A 9-year-old boy collapsed shortly after complaining of shortness of breath. Despite immediate resuscitation measures, the boy died. A few weeks earlier, he had received antibiotic treatment for respiratory infection. However, the post-mortem examination revealed an advanced tumor mass of the mediastinum with infiltration of vital structures, which was identified as a small blue round neoplasm with aspects of an extramedullary Ewing-like sarcoma by supplementary histological and immunohistochemical examinations.This dramatic clinical course of events shows that the possible presence of serious diseases should always be considered behind harmless symptoms, even in children.

Keywords: Autopsy; Diagnosis; Ewing-like sarcoma; Small blue round cell tumors; Unexpected death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sarcoma*
  • Sarcoma, Ewing* / diagnosis
  • Sarcoma, Ewing* / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents