A Case of Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumour in the Lung: Diagnosis, Management, and Prognosis in a 48-Year-Old Female

Author(s): Yasir A. Hasan, Fizza Bashir, Bibhusal Thapa, Allan Pham

Background: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (IMTs) are rare, low-grade neoplasms characterized by a proliferation of myofibroblasts with an associated inflammatory infiltrate. IMTs can occur in various anatomical locations, with pulmonary involvement being among the most common. Despite their indolent nature, these tumours can pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their variable clinical and radiological presentations.

Case Presentation: We present the case of a 48-year-old female who presented with chest pain. Imaging revealed an incidental nodule in the right lower lobe of the lung, initially suspected to be malignant. A biopsy demonstrated spindle cell proliferation with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate, leading to a diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours. The patient underwent a right lower lobectomy, with complete surgical resection confirmed histopathologically. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient remains disease-free at follow-up 18 months post-surgery.

Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of considering IMT in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary masses, especially in cases with inconclusive imaging findings. Surgical resection remains the cornerstone of treatment, offering both diagnostic confirmation and potential cure. Further studies are warranted to better understand the pathogenesis and optimal management of this rare entity.