The atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor is a rare brain tumor of childhood. We
report a congenital case, revealed by peripheral facial palsy. This polymo
rphous tumor consisted of rhabdoid cells associated with areas of primitive
neuroectodermal tumor. The immunoreactivity for the three proteins vimenti
n, epithelial membrane antigen and smooth-muscle actin was suggestive of rh
abdoid tumor. Genetic study showed a homozygous mutation in the tumoral DNA
and a constitutional heterozygous mutation, as it was demonstrated in atyp
ical teratoid rhabdoid tumors and in renal and extra-renal rhabdoid tumors.