Intracranial Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Literature Review and a Rare Case Misdiagnosed as Acoustic Neuroma

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) stands as a rare neoplasm, initially documented by Bahadori and Liebow in 1973; however, its biological behavior and underlying pathogenesis continue to elude comprehensive understanding. Throughout the years, this tumor has been designated by various alternative names, including pseudosarcomatoid myofibroblastoma, fibromyxoid transformation, and plasma cell granuloma among others. In 2002, the World Health Organization (WHO) officially classified it as a soft tissue tumor and designated it as IMT. While IMT primarily manifests in the lungs, the common clinical symptoms encompass anemia, low-grade fever, limb weakness, and chest pain. The mesentery, omentum, and retroperitoneum are subsequent sites of occurrence with intracranial involvement being exceedingly rare. Due to the absence of specific clinical symptoms and characteristic radiographic features, diagnosing intracranial inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IIMT) remains challenging. Successful instances of pharmacological treatment for IIMT indicate that surgery may not be the sole therapeutic recourse, thus underscoring the imperative of an accurate diagnosis and apt treatment selection to improve patient outcomes.

Automated summary

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare neoplasm with unknown underlying pathogenesis. While primarily occurring in the lungs, it can also affect other sites such as the mesentery and retroperitoneum, with intracranial involvement being extremely rare. Diagnosing intracranial IMT remains difficult due to the lack of specific clinical symptoms and characteristic radiographic features. Successful pharmacological treatment suggests that surgery may not be the only therapeutic option, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment selection.