Unilateral proptosis in a child-need for prompt diagnosis

Abstract

Proptosis in a child often presents as a diagnostic dilemma. Proptosis can be secondary to infection or childhood malignancies. It warrants urgent and relevant investigations to facilitate correct diagnosis and treatment. The common causes of proptosis include infection and malignant lesions. Any delay in intervention in either of the causes can lead to significant morbidity or can impair the vision of the child. An orbital neoplasm in the pediatric age group is an uncommon clinical finding which can initially manifest as proptosis. Here, we report a case of a 2-year-old girl, presenting with progressive swelling of the right eye. An incisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). RMS is an aggressive tumor; hence, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are highly essential to prevent significant morbidity and can save the vision of the child.