Massive neuraxial spread of aural rhabdomyosarcoma

An embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma that initially was seen as a polyp in the external auditory canal underwent uncontrollable direct extension along the facial nerve through the internal auditory meatus, with encasement of the base of the brain and entire spinal cord despite radical surgery, supervoltage irradiation, and multidrug chemotherapy. This degree of massive neuraxial spread without systemic metastases appears to be unique.