Cytodiagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor: A report of three cases in infants

Abstract

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a tumor of intermediate grade with a low rate of metastasis. The tumor often mimics malignancy. There is sparse literature available describing the cytological findings of this rare condition. It often presents in infancy and childhood as an intra-abdominal mass. Here, we describe the cytological findings of three cases of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in infants aged 10 months, 4 months, and 15 months, respectively. While the first two cases are fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) smears, the third case is that of an intraoperative imprint cytology. All the three smears showed low cellularity with small clusters of bland spindle cells, along with sprinkling of inflammatory cells, suggestive of an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The diagnosis was later confirmed on histopathology and positive immunostaining for ALK.

Case Report: Unusual Clinical Presentation of a Rare Cardiac Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in Children: The Differential Diagnosis With Pediatric Emergencies

“…ALK-1 positivity was associated with a better prognosis in our case according to some studies ( 14 ); other authors support that there was no correlation between the two variables ( 6 ). At least 50% of IMT presents AlK-1 positivity; this proportion increases in the primary cardiac tumor: this immunochemical marker facilitates the diagnostic process ( 15 , 16 ). Cytokeratin was negative; there was a weak immunopositivity of desmin.…”

An extremely rare case of malignant jejunal mesenteric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a 61-year-old male patient: A case report and literature review

“…It is extremely hard to have a definite pre-operative diagnosis of mesenteric IMT unless FNAC could be performed ( 20 ). Mesenteric IMT develops in both small and large bowel.…”

“…ALK plays a vital role in the prognosis and diagnosis of IMT. ALK-positive mesenteric IMT had a better prognosis and a lower rate of recurrence ( 20 ).…”

Infantile inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors: clinicopathological and molecular characterization of 12 cases

“…Although inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors may arise at any site, these tumors preferentially involve the abdominal cavity, lung, head and neck, and mediastinum. In children, there is a predilection for the abdominal cavity, especially omentum, mesentery, retroperitoneum, pelvis, or intrabdominal viscera [3][4][5][6][7][8].…”