Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus: a clinicopathologic study of 25 cases and review of the literature

Sinonasal nodular fasciitis: report of a case with USP6 rearrangement

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a benign myofibroblastic proliferation characterized by rapid growth, a self-limiting course, and USP6 gene rearrangement. Although it can arise in the head and neck region, very few cases of NF involving the sinonasal tract have been reported to date. Herein we report a case of NF involving the nasal cavity presenting as a polypoid well-defined mass causing obstructive symptoms in a male with a history of multiple local surgeries. Although the mass had an unusual clinical presentation, the histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with NF. Fluorescent in situ hybridization performed with break-apart probes flanking the USP6 locus on chromosome 17p13 revealed the presence of USP6 gene rearrangement. The patient remained free of disease 124 months after surgical treatment. Considering its remarkably benign behavior despite its alarming clinical and histologic features, the distinction of NF from sinonasal malignant tumors is essential.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: Two Cases in Head and Neck Region

Previously described as inflammatory pseudotumor, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) are now considered as distinct tumors of specific histopathologic features. This rare mesenchymal tumor consists of spindle shaped fibroblasts associated with various amounts of inflammatory cells. Head and neck region, is an unusual site of involvement. In this article, we will introduce two separate cases with the diagnosis of IMT involving the nasopharynx and the temporal bone which are both rare locations of presentation. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis list of every mass in head and neck region.

Algorithmic Approach to Fibroinflammatory Sinonasal Tract Lesions

Fibroinflammatory lesions of the sinonasal tract are one of the most common head and neck lesions submitted to surgical pathology. When the fibroinflammatory pattern represents the lesion (i.e., not surface reactive ulceration), an algorithmic approach can be useful. Separated into reactive, infectious, and neoplastic, and then further divided based on common to rare, this logical progression through a series of differential considerations allows for many of these lesions to be correctly diagnosed. The reactive lesions include chronic rhinosinusitis and polyps, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and eosinophilic angiocentric fibrosis. Infectious etiologies include acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, rhinoscleroma, and mycobacterial infections. The neoplastic category includes lobular capillary hemangioma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type. Utilizing patterns of growth, dominant cell types, and additional histologic features, selected ancillary studies help to confirm the diagnosis, guiding further clinical management.

Sinonasal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour: a rare entity with diagnostic challenges

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour is a rare entity causing sinonasal involvement with variable behaviour. Mimicking various benign and malignant lesions, accurate diagnosis is often clinched on histopathology complemented with appropriate immunohistochemistry markers. Surgical resection is the main treatment modality with other forms of therapy reserved for unresectable lesions. We highlight a case of dual involvement of the sinonasal region and nasal bones along with the diagnostic and treatment challenges encountered. As the nasal bones were involved, surgical resection with negative margins required cosmetic reconstruction in the same sitting. A costochondral graft helped in achieving cosmetic pleasing results with no recurrence on follow-up.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of Nasal Septum after Septoplasty: A Case Report

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is an uncommon tumor composed of myoblasts and various types of inflammatory infiltrates. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is most common in the lungs but can be rarely found in the nasal cavity. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare entity that represents a diverse histologic pattern that can mimic malignant tumors. We report a case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the nasal septum in a 45-year-old man who presented with a tumor-like lesion of the nasal septum after two rounds of septoplasty.

Soft Tissue Special Issue: Fibroblastic and Myofibroblastic Neoplasms of the Head and Neck

Fibroblastic and myofibroblastic neoplasms of the head and neck encompass a group of rare tumor types with often overlapping clinicopathologic features that range in biologic potential from benign to overtly malignant. Even neoplasms with no metastatic potential may provide significant therapeutic challenges in this region due to the unique anatomy of the head and neck. This review will cover the following entities, highlighting important clinical aspects of each neoplasm and then focusing on their characteristic histomorphology, immunophenotype, and molecular alterations: nodular and cranial fasciitis, fibrous hamartoma of infancy, nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, nuchal-type and Gardner fibromas, desmoid fibromatosis, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans and giant cell fibroblastoma, solitary fibrous tumor, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma, infantile fibrosarcoma, low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma, and sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma. While some of these neoplasms characteristically arise in the head and neck, others are rarely described in this anatomic region and may therefore be particularly difficult to recognize. Distinction between these entities, however, is crucial, particularly as the molecular pathogenetic basis for these neoplasms are being rapidly elucidated, in some instances allowing for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Unusual Nasal Insufficiency in an Infant: What's Behind the Nostril?

OBJECTIVES

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare benign lesion, especially in the pediatric age. There are several cases described in pulmonary, digestive and renal localizations, but involvement in head and neck area is infrequent.

METHODS

Case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

A 1 year and 11 months old child, during 2 months had clinical signs of nasal respiratory insufficiency and epistaxis subsequently developing a purulent rhinorrhea and a sleep apnea. His pediatrician previously requested a sinus and cavum X-ray with the finding of an image compatible with an intranasal mass. Endoscopic resection was performed of the mass with further immunohistochemical analysis showing the result of a lesion compatible with IMT.

CONCLUSIONS

Even though there are very few cases in scientific literature of a tumor with these characteristics in infants, IMT must be present as a differential diagnosis of intranasal masses. The role of the pathologist is essential to reach the definitive diagnosis and the performance of an early surgical treatment decreases aesthetic consequences in this pathology.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors in Paranasal Sinus and Nasopharynx: A Clinical Retrospective Study of 13 Cases

Background

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), as a mesenchymal tumor, is common in the lung and abdomen but rare in the paranasal sinus and nasopharynx.

Objective

This study aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of IMT in the paranasal sinus and nasopharynx and analyze the relationship between the treatment and the overall survival (OS).

Method

The clinical features, treatment, and follow-up data of patients diagnosed with IMT of the paranasal sinus or nasopharynx from 2006 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, and the previous literature was reviewed.

Results

IMT often presents as an ill-defined soft-tissue mass with bone destruction and invasion of surrounding structures. The treatment methods used in this study were different combinations of surgery, prednisone, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy or observation alone. Three of the 13 patients were lost and the follow-up time of the remaining 10 cases ranged from 2 to 87 months (median, 39 months). Two patients died of the disease; the other eight patients were stable. The 5-year survival rate was 72%. Among the four methods of treatment, only treatment with prednisone was significantly correlated with better OS (P = 0.046).

Conclusions

IMT is an intermediate tumor that often mimics malignancy. We are not sure if IMTs in the nasal cavity are more aggressive because of the biology or if the location and local therapy in the head region is more complicated. Radiologic findings help know the extent of the lesion. For unresectable nasal IMT, combined therapy with glucocorticoids, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy is sometimes a better choice. Glucocorticoids are especially recommended as a basic part of the integrated therapy. However, the standard treatment needs further research.

Ear and Temporal Bone Pathology: Neural, Sclerosing and Myofibroblastic Lesions

Neural, sclerosing, and myofibroblastic lesions of the ear and temporal bone present diagnostic challenges for both clinicians and pathologists due to significant overlap in their clinical presentations, histologic appearances, and immunohistochemical profiles. While some of these lesions, such as schwannomas, are relatively common, others are rendered even more difficult because they are encountered very rarely in routine surgical pathology practice. This review is intended to provide an update on the pathology of some of the most commonly encountered primary diagnostic entities for the ear and temporal bone, and includes the following neural lesions: schwannoma, meningioma, and encephalocele/meningocele. Sclerosing lesions that will be discussed include spindle cell and sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma, sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma, and sclerosing paraganglioma. Finally, myofibroblastic lesions that will be reviewed are nodular fasciitis, IgG4-related disease, and solitary fibrous tumor. For each of these lesions, the differential diagnosis and useful ancillary tests will be discussed in the context of a broad range of additional primary and secondary lesions.

Sinonasal Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor with Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase 1 Rearrangement: Case Study and Literature Review

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors initially described in the lung. About half of them exhibit expression of the ALK1 protein, generally resulting from a gene rearrangement. Paranasal sinus IMTs are extremely uncommon, and gene rearrangement of ALK1 is very rare in this localization. A 47-year-old woman presented with rapidly progressive vision loss in her left eye. Clinical and imaging work-up revealed a tumor invading the left ethmoidal and sphenoidal sinuses and extending into the nasal cavity, the orbit and the skull base. Complete tumor resection was performed using an endonasal approach. Pathological examination revealed a paranasal localization of IMT, positive for ALK1 immunostaining. FISH analysis showed an ALK1 gene rearrangement. This case illustrates the local aggressive potential for IMTs. Treatment is primarily surgical, but targeted therapies (crizotinib) might be a solution for ALK1 rearranged cases with a poor prognosis.