CLINICAL CASES   

Otorinolaringologia 1998 December;48(4):199-203

Copyright © 2000 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear. Case report

Piantanida R., Pellini R., Ferrario F. M., Roselli R., Maffioli M., Spriano G.

Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi - Varese Unità Operativa di Otorinolaringoiatria

A case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear, observed in a 4-year-old child is described in order to illustrate the main histological, clinical and epidemiological features. Special attention is given to the clinical onset of the disease, whose initial symptoms are often confused with those of a much more common secretory otitis media and thus misleading; this event and the chance of a difficult histological interpretation may result in a significant delay in diagnosis. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a disease which may be controlled and even cured through a multidisciplinar therapeutic strategy, including surgery (mainly as the diagnostic approach), radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The authors describe their diagnostic work-up and the therapy (according to the IRS protocol), including the possible side effects and long-time sequelae of the treatment.