The operating microscope in the management of melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy.

Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy is a rare condition that is most commonly found within the head and neck regions. We present a 4-month-old boy with a melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy of his maxilla. Because of the fairly high recurrence rate, the operating microscope was used after surgical excision to remove unseen remnants of the pigmented lesion. The patient has been followed for 4 years without signs of recurrence.