Abdominal Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in an Infant: a Case Report

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare neoplasm of childhood with uncertain biological potential. In more than half of the cases, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor pathogenesis is associated with ALK gene translocations. The standard treatment is radical surgical treatment. In patients with inoperable, recurrent, or metastatic forms of the disease—which are extremely rare—therapeutic options remain very limited. This article presents a case report of an 8-month-old patient diagnosed with an abdominal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. The abdominal mass was initially noticed by the parents. No specific clinical symptoms were observed. Upon examination at the clinic, a multinodular mass was localized to the omentum, ascending colon, and parietal peritoneum. Magnetic resonance imaging and abdominal ultrasound were used as the primary diagnostic modalities during the preoperative stage. Blood tests, including clinical and biochemical parameters, showed no significant abnormalities, and tumor markers were negative. Surgical treatment was indicated due to the presence of a large abdominal mass, with its topography confirmed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging angiography. A median laparotomy was performed, followed by tumor excision, subtotal omentectomy, resection of the ascending colon, and colo-colonic anastomosis. The postoperative course was uneventful. The outcome was full recovery. The presented case of an abdominal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor highlights the need to include this tumor type in the differential diagnosis of abdominal masses in young children. A notable feature of this case is the asymptomatic course and the radical excision of multiple nodules with varying locations, which serves as a predictor of favorable prognosis. No additional therapy was required due to the completeness of surgical treatment.