UNILATERAL cranial nerve paresis is an uncommon presentation of intracranial tumors in children. A child with an extraaxial tumor eroding the petrous apex manifested this syndrome. The mode of presentation and the unusual site of this embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma led us to report this case.
Report of a Case
A 6½-year-old Chinese girl was admitted to Babies Hospital after a five-week history of insidious onset, but relentless progression of left-sided headache, dysphagia, and nasal regurgitation associated with weight loss. During the three-week period before admission, the child was treated for "otitis media" with various antibiotics. There was no decrease of hearing or aural discharge. Ten days before admission an internal strabismus and tongue atrophy were noted. She had no fever, face pain, or incoordination of trunks or limbs. There was no family history of neurological disease.
Observations
Physical Examination.—The patient appeared chronically ill. The only abnormal finding on general physical