Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma and Simulating Lesions

Assessing the Usefulness of Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Intra-Orbital Lesions in Pediatric Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the usefulness of ultrasonography in the diagnosis and evaluation of extraocular intra-orbital lesions in pediatric patients.

METHODS

Twenty-three pediatric patients with intra-orbital lesions who underwent both ultrasound and computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (CT/MRI) were included. The following parameters were evaluated using ultrasound: 1) lesion detection rate (presence or absence of lesions), 2) lesion characteristics, 3) lesion location (extraconal or intraconal), and 4) the lesion longest linear dimensions, and these were compared using Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Two lesions could not be detected using ultrasound; in the other 21 cases, the lesion characteristics diagnosed by ultrasound were correct. Diagnostic accuracy of detection and characteristics assessment using ultrasound were 91.3% and 91.3%, respectively. The lesion location was not significantly different between the two groups (intraconal/extraconal in those detected using ultrasound versus those in the absence on ultrasound = 7/14 versus 0/2, P > .999); however, in two cases that were not detected on ultrasound, the lesions were located at extraconal. Lesions that were small in longest linear dimensions on CT/MRI were not detected using ultrasound (the longest linear dimensions in lesions detected using ultrasound versus that in the absence of ultrasound: 29.5 ± 8.2 [range, 13-46] versus 10 and 11 mm, P = .043).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonography proved to be useful for visualizing and evaluating intra-orbital lesions except for lesions that were relatively small in size. Therefore, although ultrasound could not detect lesions located behind bone and bone invasion, it could be used for diagnosing and selecting treatment strategies for intra-orbital lesions.

A Review of Pediatric Ophthalmic Tumors

Tumors of the eye, orbit, and ocular adnexa can arise in the pediatric population. These entities can be both vision- and life-threatening and may be associated with systemic disease. Given their relative rarity, pediatricians must be aware of these conditions and understand what findings warrant immediate referral to an ophthalmologist for initiation of further testing. We aimed to review these conditions and highlight clinical features to promote awareness and expedite diagnosis. Tumors are subdivided into the following categories for review: anterior tumors of the eyelid and ocular surface, orbital tumors, and intraocular tumors.

Orbital manifestations of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma

A 2-year-old boy presented with left periorbital edema, proptosis, hyperglobus and esotropia. Imaging revealed an inferotemporal orbital mass with adjacent bony erosion. Histological evaluation of an orbital biopsy revealed B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (B-ALL/BLL). The patient was subsequently treated with chemotherapy. Although orbital involvement in acute myelogenous leukemia has been well-described, orbital manifestations of B-ALL/BLL are uncommon, with only a limited number of previous reports in the literature.

Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma in children

Purpose. To analyze the results of treatment and active monitoring the children with orbital rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) with an emphasis on vital prognosis. Material and methods. We examined 32 children with RMS (18 boys, 14 girls) aged 2 months to 12 years, whose case history ranged from 1 week to 16 weeks (median, 5 weeks). The median follow-up was 60 months. The tumor was localized in the upper (n = 13), upper internal (n = 9), lower (n = 4), internal (n = 3), and external (n = 3) quadrants. The patients underwent primary surgical treatment: orbitotomy using transcutaneous (n = 26), transconjunctival (n = 2) and subperiosteal access (n = 4) followed by cytological, histological and immunohistochemical tissue verification in all cases. Results. The highest number of RMS cases was noted in in the 2- to 7-year-old group (66 % of patients). All patients were treated in in-patient settings. Complete macroscopic removal of tumor was performed in 17 cases, partial removal in 9 cases, and biopsy sampling in 6 cases. The embryonic type of RMS accounted for 87 % (n = 28), and the alveolar type, for 13 % (n = 6). In the postoperative period all children received combined therapy (systemic polychemotherapy and distant radiation therapy) in in-patient facilities of special oncological and radiological clinics. The survival rate of the whole group was 100%. In the long-term follow-up period (after 3 to 5 years), reconstructive surgeries were performed to correct ptosis and strabismus, and/or spectacle or prismatic correction of complex or mixed astigmatism. In cases of “dry” eye syndrome, conservative local therapy was offered. After orbital exenteration, ectoprosthesis procedures was applied. Conclusion. The analysis of our observations of 32 children with orbital rhabdomyosarcoma showed a 100 % survival rate, which testifies to the importance of timely diagnosis and combined treatment of the tumor.

Imaging Findings of Pediatric Orbital Masses and Tumor Mimics

Pediatric orbital masses are not common but encompass a wide spectrum of benign and malignant entities that range from developmental anomalies to primary and secondary orbital malignancies and metastatic disease. Certain orbital tumors are unique to pediatric patients, such as retinoblastoma and neuroblastoma. Clinical symptoms and signs are often insufficient to differentiate between orbital lesions, and imaging is essential for narrowing the diagnostic considerations and determining the most appropriate management strategy. MRI is the primary imaging modality for evaluating orbital masses in children, with US and CT playing complementary roles. The authors review a spectrum of masses and tumor mimics that affect the pediatric globe and orbit. The shared and differentiating characteristics of pediatric orbital lesions are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on utilizing an orbital compartment-based approach to narrow the differential diagnosis. By using this organizational scheme, the authors describe intraocular processes (retinoblastoma, persistent fetal vasculature, and Coats disease), intraconal lesions (lymphatic malformation, schwannoma, optic nerve sheath meningioma, and optic pathway glioma), extraconal lesions (infantile hemangioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, idiopathic orbital inflammation, lymphoma, venous varix, plexiform neurofibroma, and pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland), and lesions involving the bony orbit (dermoid cyst, metastatic neuroblastoma, and Langerhans cell histiocytosis). The authors describe the basic management of each entity. Orbital infections and traumatic lesions are beyond the scope of this article. ^©RSNA, 2022.

Genetic profiling of rhabdomyosarcoma with clinicopathological and radiological correlation

OBJECTIVE

Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma is a highly malignant tumor predominantly affecting children. Our study adds more understanding of this tumor to ophthalmologists from the clinicopathological, radiological and genetic aspects.

DESIGN

A retrospective clinicopathological and radiological study of ocular rhabdomyosarcoma with genetic profiling.

PARTICIPANTS

All the cases with confirmed tissue diagnosis of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma presenting at a tertiary eye hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the period 1985-2015.

METHODS

Charts and histological slides of 26 patients were reviewed. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded biopsies and genotyping was performed to detect chromosomal abnormalities and Copy-number variations regions.

RESULTS

18 males and 8 females were included with a mean age at presentation of 6.9 years (SD of 4.4). Proptosis and globe displacement were the commonest clinical presentations. Embryonal histopathological type was the commonest (73.1%) with superior orbital involvement (p = 0.024). Using magnetic resonance imaging, the embryonal type showed higher Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value compared to the alveolar type (p = 0.98). Genetic profiling showed Copy-number gain in regions spanning PAX3, DDIT3, Gli, Wnt6 genes. DICER1 gene implication was found in 9 sporadic cases.

CONCLUSION

Rhabdomyosarcoma is rare and occurs with a mean age of 7 years, predominantly among males. The commonest embryonal type is significantly correlated with superior orbital involvement. Radiologically, it shows an ADC of 0.67-0.09 × 10^-3mm²/s. (p = 0.98). The gain in PAX3, DDIT3, Gli1, Wnt6 genes is a new finding while the DICER1 gene implication in the absence of familial hereditary carcinoma is another interesting finding.

The prognosis and effects of local treatment strategies for orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: a population-based study

Introduction

Orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare childhood malignancy with a good prognosis, but the optimal treatment remains unclear. Using a population-based cancer registry, we assessed the prognoses and survival outcomes of patients with orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma according to the local treatment strategy.

Patients and methods

Patients diagnosed with orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma between 1988 and 2012 as part of the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results program were included. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the prognostic factors associated with cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

In total, 102 patients were included; their median age was 6 years, 78.4% were white, and 56.9% were male. The median tumor size was 30 mm. Of 20 patients with an available histologic grade, the tumors of 90% were poorly differentiated/undifferentiated. Of 92 patients with available surgical and radiotherapy (RT) statuses, 50 (54.3%), 36 (39.1%), and 6 (6.5%) received surgery and RT, primary RT, and primary surgery, respectively. Ninety-five patients (93.1%) received chemotherapy. The 5- and 10-year CSSs of the entire cohort were 94.3% and 92.2%, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OSs were 93.3% and 91.3%, respectively. In 95 patients who were followed up for at least 12 months, there were no significant prognostic factors related to CSS and OS. Furthermore, the local treatment strategy did not significantly affect CSS (P=0.29) or OS (P=0.468).

Conclusion

There is no local treatment of choice for orbital embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in terms of survival. However, RT is a reasonable alternative treatment to surgery.

Imaging of orbital disorders

Diseases of the orbit can be categorized in many ways, but in this chapter we shall group them according to etiology. Inflammatory diseases of the orbits may be infectious or noninfectious. Of the infections, orbital cellulitis is the most common and typically arises as a complication of acute sinusitis. Of the noninfectious, inflammatory conditions, thyroid orbitopathy is the most common and results in enlargement of the extraocular muscles and proliferation of the orbital fat. Idiopathic orbital inflammatory syndrome is another cause of inflammation in the orbit, which may mimic thyroid orbitopathy or even neoplasm, but typically presents with pain. Masses in the orbit may be benign or malignant and the differential diagnosis primarily depends on the location of the mass lesion, and on the age of the patient. Lacrimal gland tumors may be lymphomas or epithelial lesions of salivary origin. Extraocular muscle tumors may represent lymphoma or metastases. Tumors of the intraconal fat are often benign, typically hemangiomas or schwannomas. Finally, globe tumors may be retinoblastomas (in children), or choroidal melanomas or metastases in adults.

Orbital mass secondary to infantile acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

An 8-month-old Asian infant girl was referred with a 1-week history of left periorbital swelling on a background of a narrowed left palpebral aperture over the preceding 8 weeks. There was no history of chronic illness, fever or other systemic features. Examination revealed a tender and fluctuant medial canthal swelling with associated periorbital haematoma. There were no other ophthalmic findings and neurological examination was normal. A MRI scan of the brain and orbit demonstrated abnormal soft tissue with features of an aggressive tumour in the left orbital region with no globe invasion. Peripheral blood smear revealed blast cells, confirmed by bone marrow aspirate. A diagnosis of infant acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was made. The patient was started on risk-stratified chemotherapy according to the Interfant-06 Protocol The periorbital swelling resolved by day eight following a course of prednisolone, the patient continues on chemotherapy and is currently in molecular remission.

Destruction of the craniofacial skeleton in the child caused by an orbital tumor

PURPOSE

The aims of this paper are to describe the morphological alterations within an infant craniofacial skeleton caused by an orbital tumor and present how the bone reacts in contact with a spreading tumor mass.

METHODS

A study was performed on the dry skull of a child at the age of approximately 2 years. Morphological alterations of the craniofacial skeleton were analysed by visual inspection, and the intracranial cavity was examined with the aid of a digital camera. Subsequently, the skull was examined using computed tomography.

RESULTS

The skull was identified as having unilateral symptoms of orbital destruction caused by a malignant tumor, probably retinoblastoma or rhabdomyosarcoma. The left orbit and surrounding bones showed extensive malformation caused by the invading tumor. Profound deformities were also observed in the nasal cavity, which was partially occluded by the collapsed medial wall of the left orbit. The tumor extended to the wall of the orbit, spread out of the orbit, penetrated to the anterior cranial fossa, and probably invaded the brain.

CONCLUSIONS

Extensive pathological cranial destruction and possible metastases to inner organs suggest that the orbital tumor was the cause of death. Anatomical alterations observed in the craniofacial skeleton indicate a highly aggressive character of the orbital tumor.

Orbital mass secondary to acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in a child: a rare presentation

We report the case of a 3-year-old child, who presented with lid swelling which progressed to proptosis of the left eye. He also had systemic symptoms of fatigue and weight loss. An examination revealed hepatosplenomegaly and lymph node enlargement. Investigations showed a peripheral smear with blast cells, which were also revealed through a bone marrow biopsy. A CT scan showed a mass lesion in the left orbit that had infiltrated into the surrounding tissues. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with left-sided orbital mass secondary to it. Haematogenous masses in the orbit are commonly due to granulocytic sarcomas, which are usually associated with acute myelogenous leukaemia (AML), not ALL, and are rare especially when they precede systemic disease.

Orbital rhabdomyosarcomas: A review

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant tumor and is one of the few life-threatening diseases that present first to the ophthalmologist. It is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of the head and neck in childhood with 10% of all cases occurring in the orbit. RMS has been reported from birth to the seventh decade, with the majority of cases presenting in early childhood. Survival has changed drastically over the years, from 30% in the 1960's to 90% presently, with the advent of new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. The purpose of this review is to provide a general overview of primary orbital RMS derived from a literature search of material published over the last 10 years, as well as to present two representative cases of patients that have been managed at our institute.

Extraconal orbital tumors in children--a spectrum

Orbital masses in children are uncommon but extremely challenging problems for clinicians and pathologists due to their critical location and availability of limited diagnostic material. We analyzed 47 specimens comprising biopsies, excision specimens, and FNAC of extraconal pediatric orbital masses (excluding retinoblastoma) accessioned in the pathology department over 5 years in a tertiary referral cancer center. Immunohistochemistry (IHC-74%) and molecular methods (one case) were done where necessary. The chief presenting symptom was proptosis in 55.3% patients and radiologically 53.8% malignant tumors showed extraorbital extension. A diagnostic algorithm was formulated to assess which cases needed pathology evaluation. Malignant round cell tumors (76.6%), chiefly embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (51%), benign spindle cell neoplasms, and infectious lesions (tuberculosis, fungal infections), were seen. Of the malignant tumors, those confined to the orbit achieved good treatment response and had an event-free follow-up while those with extraorbital spread had poor outcome. Pediatric orbital masses range from completely treatable infectious lesions, surgically resectable benign neoplasms to aggressive malignancies requiring chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Pathologists play a key role in distinguishing these on small biopsy material and expediating accurate treatment thus saving the vision or life of a patient.