Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma with Acute Otitis Media as Presenting Feature

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms in paediatrics. However, its location in the temporal region is rare.

We report a case of a 6 year old male admitted to the Emergency Department with a recurrent history of right otalgia, with progressive clinical worsening despite seriated antibiotics and corticotherapy.

Image characterization with both computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were suggestive of a space occupying lesion, confirmed with an exploratory tympanomastoidectomy, that revealed an obliterative polypoid lesion. The samples sent for pathology exam were later confirmed to be a rhabdomyosarcoma.

The patient underwent combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, initially with improvement, however, clinical relapse followed with rapid decline to death 9 months after his first symptoms.

This case highlights the importance of a strong clinical suspicion in cases presenting with persistence of common symptoms in pediatrics.