Abstract
BACKGROUND In the pediatric age group, middle ear tumors are rare. Rhabdomyosarcoma is considered the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children. It comprises 5% of all pediatric malignant tumors. It is hypothesized to originate from embryonic mesenchymal cells of striated skeletal muscles. These malignant lesions display an aggressive behavior with local and distant metastasis and can be staged as per the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group, depending on the organs involved, such as the orbit, head, neck, or genitourinary tract. CASE REPORT In this study, a 2-year-old boy with no medical ailments was presented with a history of ear pain and on/off bleeding from the right ear for 1 year. The patient's case was initially managed medically, for the clinical picture of an ear infection. However, clinical improvement was not seen. Therefore, radiological imaging was done. After further investigations, the diagnosis was confirmed, and a rare case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone was reported. CONCLUSIONS Rhabdomyosarcoma is an uncommon tumor in which delayed diagnosis could cause a significant fatality rate in children. Physicians need a strong index of suspicion to make an early diagnosis. The presented case is of a 2-year-old boy with a clinical picture of a complicated ear infection who was found to have rhabdomyosarcoma of the temporal bone. Early detection and multimodal treatment are critical for a positive outcome.