Skull base inflammatory pseudotumour involving the rhinopharyngeal space

Abstract

Skull base inflammatory pseudotumour involving the rhinopharyngeal space. Objective: To describe a rare case of inflammatory pseudotumour (IPT) at the skull base involving the right rhinopharyngeal space.

Methods: A case is presented; the clinical and therapeutic issues of IPT are reviewed and discussed.

Results: The mass resembled a malignant tumour or an aggressive infectious lesion; the final diagnosis was inflammatory pseudotumour. A complete regression of the mass was achieved after treatment with high dose oral steroids followed by maintenance steroid therapy.

Conclusions: IPT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rhinopharyngeal malignancies in order to avoid inappropriate (surgical) treatment.