Advanced Case of Rhabdomyosarcoma of Orbit Mimicking Orbital Cellulitis

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm of primitive mesenchyme exhibiting skeletal muscle differentiation. Rhabdomyosarcoma, which can histo pathologically be of embryonal, alveolar, botryoid and pleomorphic types; is a rare tumor in children, with an annual incidence of 4.3 cases per million. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas is a rare variant, occurring more commonly in adults. 

We report a rare case of ocular pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in an 18-month-old child with atypical presentation mimicking orbital cellulitis. A provisional diagnosis of orbital cellulitis was made based on clinical and radio logical examination and was planned for surgery. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. This case shows that pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma may also occur in children, it may mimic symptoms of orbital cellulitis, and any fast growing swelling should be carefully examined with a high degree of suspicion of this entity.