Airway obstruction due to inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the posterior pharyngeal wall

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the jaw: A rare presentation

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour (IMT) is a rare entity of unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. It was initially described in the lung, although there have been reported cases affecting extra-pulmonary sites. The aetiology of IMT remains unclear, with current evidence suggesting that IMTs are neoplastic processes resulting from chromosomal translocations that often cause an overexpression of ALK tyrosine kinase. Histologically, a variably cellular myxoid morphology is common in these tumours, with the presence of inflammatory cell infiltrate. Clinically, symptoms are non-specific, although the presence of a swelling is frequently reported. Imaging studies are not very useful in the diagnosis, as they only describe the presence of a mass, and do not provide a definitive diagnosis. This article presents a case, of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour of the jaw, in a male patient aged 16 years.