Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma with Acute Otitis Media as Presenting Feature

Rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the most common neoplasms in paediatrics. However, its location in the temporal region is rare. We report a case of a 6 year old male admitted to the Emergency Department with a recurrent history of right otalgia, with progressive clinical worsening despite seriated antibiotics and corticotherapy. Image characterization with both computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were suggestive of a space occupying lesion, confirmed with an exploratory tympanomastoidectomy, that revealed an obliterative polypoid lesion. The samples sent for pathology exam were later confirmed to be a rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient underwent combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy, initially with improvement, however, clinical relapse followed with rapid decline to death 9 months after his first symptoms. This case highlights the importance of a strong clinical suspicion in cases presenting with persistence of common symptoms in pediatrics.