Inflammatory pseudotumor of the nasal cavity

Abstract

Inflammatory pseudotumor is usually found in the orbits and lungs, but rarely in the sinonasal area. We present a 59-year-old woman with a right nasal mass. This lesion caused nasal bleeding and blockage. Image study showed that the solid mass eroded the bony structure and pushed the nasal septum toward the left side. Wide excision was done via lateral rhinotomy. Although its clinical picture mimicked a malignant tumor, histological examination showed an inflammatory process composed of a mixture of lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate, histiocytic cells, and spindled fibroblastic/myofibroblastic cells. Both culture and pathology identified no microorganism. No evidence of recurrence was found after follow-up for more than 2.5 years. The clinical behavior of inflammatory pseudotumor was confusing and tended to be mistaken as malignancy. Its diagnosis and management could be a great challenge for clinicians.