Rhabdomyosarcoma masquerading as acute dacryocystitis.

PubMed ID: 16304528

Author(s): Burkat CN, Lucarelli MJ. Rhabdomyosarcoma masquerading as acute dacryocystitis. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2005 Nov;21(6):456-8. PMID 16304528

Journal: Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery, Volume 21, Issue 6, Nov 2005

An 11-year-old boy presented with right medial canthal swelling. He was initially diagnosed with dacryocystitis and treated with oral antibiotics, followed by incision and drainage of a presumed lacrimal sac abscess. Rapid recurrence of the swelling led to further clinical evaluation, including a maxillofacial CT, which revealed an extensive nasal and orbital mass that was consistent with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma on histopathologic analysis. This represents an unusual case of rhabdomyosarcoma manifesting as acute dacryocystitis. Rhabdomyosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis for acquired nasolacrimal obstruction and dacryocystitis in the pediatric population.