S a rcomatoid carcinoma and orbital apex

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare, aggressive tumor, with a special predilection for the upper bronchodigestive tract and oral cavity (1-3), but it may occur in other locations such as the uterus and breast. This tumor has a mixture of carcinoma and sarcoma containing differentiated mesenchymal elements (1-3). Orbital apex syndrome is a rare complex characterized by proptosis and paralysis of extraocular muscles, associated with involvement of the first division of the trigeminal nerve and visual loss (4). The most common diseases responsible for this syndrome can be metastatic tumors, orbital cellulitis (bacterial infection), orbital myositis, and fungal infection (4). To our knowledge, this is the first case of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the left ethmoid sinus presenting as orbital apex syndrome. Histologic aspects of this tumor are areas with spindles and epithelial characteristics cells. The tumor cells exp ress vimentin and cytokeratin staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to confirm the diagnosis.