Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the temporal bone: a histologically nonmalignant lesion with fatal outcome.

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.