Rare differentiation diagnosis of a unilateral paranasal disease

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare, soft tissue malignancy which is typically found in pedatric population and represents less than 1% of all malignant solid tumors in adults. If it occurs, one of the mot subsites is the head and neck region.

We present a case of a 21-year-old-male who introduced himself for examination of a slowly growing, indolent tumor of the neck. Clinical investigation showed no suspicious mucosal abnormalities in ENT-field. Initial sonographic examination showed a 15 × 9 x 17 mm lymphnode without hilus sign. Surgical lymphnode removal was indicated. Whithin two weeks further symptoms like infraorbital hypaesthesia of the cheek and progressive nasal obstruction occured. CT scan showed a tumor of the right maxillary and ethmoid sinus plus a infiltration of the skull base and the orbital cavity. MRI detected an additional dural infiltration. Biopsy of the intranasal grown mass was sent to the histopathological examination specifying it as an adult sinunasal rhabdomyosarcoma. Patient underwent chemotherapy with.......... an tumor showed nearly complete remission after the first cycle. Actually the patient recieves sustaining chemotherapy.

Because of the worse outcome of rhabdomyosarcomas it is of utmost importance to keep them in mind whenever a patient with unilateral sinus disease is seen.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)