Gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in a 10-month-old girl: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumors (IMTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors of unclear etiology and uncertain malignant potential that affect all age groups. IMTs are most often found in the lungs; although they do occur in a variety of other organs. IMTs have been reported in the mesentery, head and neck, omentum, retroperitoneum, limbs, genitourinary tract, and, extremely rarely, in the stomach. There is scant epidemiological data on IMTs, in part, due to the absence of national and international registries. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This is a case report of a 10-month-old girl who presented with clinical signs of fever and weight loss over a period of four months. The patient was initially diagnosed with a febrile syndrome of unknown origin. However, upon further investigation, a Gastric IMT was found, and the patient required a left hepatectomy and subtotal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. CONCLUSION: In the pediatric population clinical findings are often nonspecific. Based on this case study, we conclude that, in children with palpable masses, IMT should always be considered as a diagnostic option.