inflammatory pseudotumor of the sinonasal tract

Inflammatory pseudotumors (IPTs) are a clinically and histologically diverse group of lesions characterized by a tumor mass of acute and chronic inflammatory cells with a variable fibrous response. IPTs most commonly involve the lung and orbit, but rarely the sinonasal tract. We report a 68-year-old male with an IPT of the sinonasal tract presenting as nasal obstruction and postnasal dripping for several years. A gray-white soft mass was noted in the right nasal cavity. Computed tomography revealed a solid mass filling the right nasal cavity and maxillary sinus. Caldwell-Luc operation with ethmoidectomy (right) was conducted to resect the mass en bloc. Pathology revealed admixture of plasma cells, lymphocytes and eosinophils, confirming the diagnosis of IPT. The patient remained symptom-free over 4 years of follow-up. Awareness of the clinical presentations, histopathologic features and treatment of choice of this rare disease entity is necessary to distinguish it from malignancy and avoid unnecessary management. [J Formos Med Assoc 2007;106(2):165-168]