ABSTRACT
Introduction: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMFT) of the temporal bone is an
unusual but distinct clinicopathologic entity. Case Report: We report the case of
a 75-year-old patient with an IMFT located in the temporal bone. Symptoms included
VI, X, XI, and XII cranial nerves palsies. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance
images are described. The lesion was locally aggressive and outcome was fatal. IMFT
was identified by analysis of postmortem specimen with histopathologic and immunohistochemical
confirmation. Discussion: IMFT can be locally destructive lesions. Involvement of
the skull base and cervical spine is indistinguishable from an aggressive infection
or a malignant tumor and can be fatal as in our case report. The difficulties in establishing
clinicopathologic diagnosis, radiological imaging characteristics, and treatment are
discussed.
KEYWORDS
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor - inflammatory pseudotumor - temporal bone - skull
base
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Francisco Santaolalla-MontoyaM.D.
E.N.T. Department, Basurto Hospital, School of Medicine, University of the Basque
Country, UPV/EHU, Gurtubay
s/n, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Email: francisco.santaolalla@ehu.es