VACTERL with hydrocephalus and isolated tracheo-oesophageal fistula in a first cousin.

A male infant is described of VACTERL with hydrocephalus where a female first cousin of this child had isolated oesophageal atresia with tracheo-oesophageal fistula. Possibly modes of inheritance are discussed.

Benign lipoblastoma arising in the neck.

Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are rare benign tumours of embryonal fat that exhibit a tendency to invade locally but not to metastasize. This condition most often presents before the age of 3 years, affects males more than females, and is typified by a slowly-growing, usually subcutaneous mass arising in a limb. Cases involving the head and neck are extremely rare, with only nine cases in the neck having been described to date. This tenth case arose in a 13-month-old male presenting with a rapidly enlarging lump in the right side of the neck, clinically mimicking a cystic hygroma. Diagnosis is by histology, and treatment involves complete surgical resection. We report this tenth known case of lipoblastoma in the neck and review the literature.

Neonatal thymic haemorrhage.

Thymic haemorrhage in a neonate is an exceedingly rare condition. A case is presented of a neonate presenting at birth with cyanosis, respiratory distress and an anterior mediastinal mass. The radiological findings are demonstrated. After surgical excision and histopathological examination the lesion was found to be spontaneous haemorrhage into normal thymic tissue. Spontaneous thymic haemorrhage should be considered in any neonate developing acute respiratory distress with widening of the mediastinum and pleural effusion on chest radiography. Ultrasound may be used to support the diagnosis.