[Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the temporal bone: a rare case]

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Otorhinolaryngology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Ewing sarcoma is a rare bone malignancy primarily affecting children and adolescents.
• Skull bone involvement in Ewing sarcoma is infrequent, reported in 1%-6% of cases.
• Temporal bone Ewing sarcoma presents a diagnostic challenge, often mimicking inflammatory conditions.

Observation:

• A case of a 33-year-old male with Ewing sarcoma of the mastoid and petrous temporal bone is presented.
• The patient's initial symptoms mimicked mastoiditis with facial nerve palsy.
• This highlights the uncommon presentation of Ewing sarcoma in the temporal bone.

Findings:

• Ewing sarcoma of the temporal bone can present with symptoms similar to acute otitis media or herpes zoster oticus.
• Facial nerve paralysis is a key neurological symptom that warrants further investigation.
• Surgical exploration may be necessary for ambiguous clinical findings in suspected temporal bone tumors.

Implications:

• Physicians should consider Ewing sarcoma in the differential diagnosis for pediatric and adolescent patients with facial nerve paralysis, especially with ambiguous symptoms.
• Early and accurate diagnosis of temporal bone Ewing sarcoma is vital for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
• This case underscores the importance of considering rare malignancies in the differential diagnosis of otologic and neurological symptoms.