Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the mandible

Objectives: 1] To describe a case of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma presenting as al radiolucent mandibular mass in a 3-year-old child. 2] To review existing literature on the clinical picture and pathophysiology of intraosseous rhabdomyosarcoma. 3] To identify learning points in the diagnosis of intraosseous rhabdomyosarcoma. Design: Case report. Setting: A tertiary referral hospital. Patients: One (1) Results: A case of a 3-year-old child with a radiolucent mandibular mass is described. Thel final histopathologic report turned out to be embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Intraosseous rhabdomyosarcomas are rare occurrences (3.5 percent in one review), and clinically present in younger age groups, with a non-tender, enlarging, firm-hard mass over a specific area. A review of the available literature on intraosseous rhabdomyosarcomas, and its proposed pathogenesis, is presented. Conclusion: A case of a radiolucent mandibular mass in a 3-year-old child is presented. Intraosseous rhabdomyosarcomas of the mandible are rare occurrences that pose challenges to the otorhinolaryngologist. Taken separately, the presentation, patient characteristics, clinical course, ancillary laboratories and imaging modalities may lead even the most astute otorhinolaryngologist astray. The whole clinical picture should be taken together so that the correct diagnosis will not be missed despite the rare presentation. (Author)

Chronic suppurative otitis media: Bacteriology and drug sensitivity patterns at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center (2004-2005): A preliminary study

Objectives: To identify the bacterial pathogens associated with chronic suppurative otitis media and their antimicrobial sensitivity and resistance. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: The study was carried out from July 2004-July 2005 at the outpatient clinic of a government tertiary hospital. Number of subjects: A total of 32 patients (54 ears) with unilateral or bilateral active chronic suppurative otitis media. Results: Bacterial pathogens of 54 ear discharge samples from CSOM were studied. Among them, 42 (78 percent) were pure cultures and 9 (16.7 percent) were mixed, only 3 (5.6 percent) of the submitted samples had no growth. There were 42 pure isolates, the most common of which was Staphylococcus aureus 21 (50 percent), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa 14 (33.3 percent). Drug sensitivity pattern of Staphylococcus aureus showed that 61.9 percent were resistant to Penicillin while more than 90 percent were sensitive to Aminoglycosides and Clindamycin. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was resistant to penicillin in 64.3 percent of cases and Ciprofloxacin was active against pseudomonas in 85.7 percent. Conclusion: The most common bacterial pathogens from CSOM include Staphylococcus aureu and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Majority of the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were resistant to penicillin. Aminoglycosides, macrolides and quinolones were effective against most of the isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. (Author)