Rhabdomyosarcoma Arising in an Old Rhytidectomy Scar. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruthberg, Jeremy S.; Meleca, Joseph B.; Ko, Jennifer S.; Billings, Steven D.; Ku, Jamie A.
• Is Part Of: Annals of otology, rhinology & laryngology. Volume 132:Number 2(2023)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 225
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: rhabdomyosarcoma -- surgical scar -- rhytidectomy -- non-diagnostic biopsy -- sarcoma; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/00034894221084482
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4894

Abstract

Objective: The clinical evaluation and management of an adult with head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma is explored to delineate the diagnostic challenge posed by soft-tissue sarcomas bordering scar tissue. Case Report: A 59 year old female presents with persistent, evolving paresthesia and burning in the right posterior neck, which was found to be in close proximity to a well-healed rhytidectomy scar. Serial biopsies were non-diagnostic. Six months after initial presentation, rhabdomyosarcoma was diagnosed subsequent to histopathological and immunohistochemistry analysis. A wide local excision with posterolateral neck dissection was performed. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion for soft-tissue sarcoma should be maintained for patients with persistent soft-tissue lesions, especially in areas of scarred tissue, who present with new-onset neurological symptoms in the context of nondiagnostic biopsies.