Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone
Viswanatha, B.
Ear Nose and Throat Journal 86(4): 218; 220-222
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0145-5613 PMID: 17500393 Document Number: 606292
The most common soft-tissue sarcoma in infants and children is rhabdomyosarcoma. The head and neck is the most common site of involvement; temporal bone involvement has been seen in about 7% of reported cases. Multimodality therapy--surgery, multiagent chemotherapy, and radiotherapy-yields sufficiently good results. The author reports a case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone with cranial nerve palsies and extension into the parapharyngeal space in a 4-year-old boy. Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the patient died of his disease within 3 months of presentation.