Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid

Treatment, Survival, and Demographics in Temporal Bone Malignancies: A Pooled Data Analysis

Temporal bone malignancies are relatively uncommon tumors. Their location adjacent to vital structures such as the carotid artery, jugular vein, otic capsule, and temporal lobe can make their treatment potentially challenging. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes in temporal bone malignancies obtained via pooled literature data. The study sought to examine factors affecting survival in temporal bone malignancies based on the studies in the existing published literature. A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed (Medline), Embase, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies from 1951 to 2022 that described the treatment of temporal bone malignancies. Articles that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were assessed and analyzed by the author. The literature search identified 5875 case series and case reports, and 161 of them contained sufficient data to be included in the pooled data analysis, involving a total of 825 patients. Multivariate analysis of the pooled literature data showed that overall stage, presence of facial palsy, and surgical margin status significantly affected overall survival (OS), while overall stage and presence of facial palsy significantly affected disease-free survival (DFS). To summarize, this study examined pooled survival data on demographics, treatment, and survival of patients with temporal bone malignancies utilizing an extensive literature-based pooled data meta-analysis. Overall stage, facial nerve status, and surgical margin status appeared to most strongly affect survival in patients with temporal bone malignancies.

Cranial Rhabdomyosarcoma Masquerading as Infectious Mastoiditis: Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyosarcoma originating in the mastoid is rare and may be misdiagnosed as an infectious mastoiditis due to overlapping clinical and imaging features. We aimed to identify distinguishing characteristics to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment.

METHOD

Here we describe a case report and a systematic review of 23 reports describing previous cases of mastoid rhabdomyosarcoma. We compare these patients to a systematic review of patients with infectious mastoiditis and identify distinguishing clinical features.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients with rhabdomyosarcoma of the mastoid were identified and compared with patients with mastoiditis. Rhabdomyosarcoma patients were more likely to present with a mass (86%) or cranial nerve dysfunction (83.7%), while mastoiditis patients were more likely to have fever (72.4%), pain (48.2%), and present at a younger age (4.4 vs. 6.1 years). The average lifespan with rhabdomyosarcoma of the mastoid was 7.1 months after diagnosis, with 41.7% of patients alive at the time of report.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on abstracted and aggregated information, we identified unique features observed more frequently in each of rhabdomyosarcoma and mastoiditis. These predictive features allow for the differentiation of each diagnosis and avoid the delay of proper treatment.

Auricular Rhabdomyosarcoma in a Rat

An ear (auricular) neoplasm from a 1-year-old male rat was removed surgically and examined histologically. Macroscopically, the neoplasm was firm, white and measured (0.5 x 0.5 cm). Microscopically, the neoplasm was expansile, non-encapsulated, and composed of large, pleomorphic, polygonal to spindle-shaped cells containing multiple nuclei. Using immunohistochemical and chemical stains, the neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin, myoglobin, phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin and desmin, but had no immunoreactivity for cytokeratin or alpha-smooth muscle actin. On the basis of histopathological, immunohistochemical and histochemical stains, a diagnosis of auricular rhabdomyosarcoma was made. Although reported infrequently in human, this is, to the author's knowledge, the first report that describes the detailed gross, histopathological, histochemical and immunohistochemical findings of auricular rhabdomyosarcoma in a rat.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid in children

Three cases of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in the middle ear and mastoid in children are presented. Diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology. A multidisciplinary approach employing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy is the method of choice in the management of this rare and highly lethal condition.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone: clinical report

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of the head and neck in young children, but it is a rare entity in the temporal bone. We have detailed our experiences with two of our patients who had tumor in this site. Both were under the age of 2 years. One child had 6th and 7th nerve paralysis. The clinical features associated with these tumors and available treatment are reviewed.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of head and neck in children

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare condition that tends to occur in the head and neck in children. This disease carried a very poor prognosis until 10 years ago when a multidisciplinary approach (with surgery, therapy and multiple drug chemotherapy) was instituted. In this article a review of the literature on embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is given and three rare cases have been reported; the first involved the palate, the second affected the ear and mastoid, and the third was a case originating in the nasopharynx with orbital involvement. Clinical and histopathological descriptions are given and the results of therapy are evaluated.

Embryonal rhabdosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid

Two cases of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, arising from the middle ear, are described. It is a rare mesenchymal tumour of childhood, with a very poor prognosis. The literature is briefly reviewed and the difficulties encountered in diagnosis are outlined.