Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the larynx.
BACKGROUND
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, composed of myofibroblastic spindle cells with acute and chronic inflammatory cells, is an unusual, benign solid mass that mimics a neoplastic process.


METHODS
We report a rare case of a patient with a laryngeal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. Laryngoscopy demonstrated a submucosal mass involving the right false cord. The mass was a well-enhanced supraglottic lesion on CT scan. It showed medially high signal intensity and peripherally low signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images, and it displayed a high magnetization transfer ratio; before surgery, it was believed to be a malignant tumor. Laryngoscopic biopsy was performed. Pathologic features of the specimen were diagnostic for inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor.


RESULTS
Steroid therapy was chosen for further treatment. No recurrence was observed for 4 years.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with chronic hoarseness who have a malignant-looking submucosal laryngeal mass, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor should be considered. Conservative surgery and steroid treatment are advocated because of laryngeal preservation.
Suh
Sang-il
SI
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Korea University, School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Seol
Hae Young
HY
Lee
Jean Hwa
JH
Lee
Young Hen
YH
Kim
Taik-Kun
TK
Lee
Nam Joon
NJ
Woo
Jeong-Soo
JS
Kim
In Sun
IS
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001706:Biopsy; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D006104:Granuloma, Plasma Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones