Inflammatory Pseudotumor of the Maxillary Sinus: Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Abstract

The term inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) has been applied to a benign, reactive, non-neoplastic and inflammatory space occupying lesion that clinically and radiographically mimics a neoplasm. Histologically, IPT is composed of polymorphous inflammatory cell infiltrates and variable fibrous stroma containing thick walled blood vessels.

Aggressive pseudotumors must be distinguished from malignancy to avoid unnecessary surgery or irradiation. Some cases can be differentiated from neoplasms by their dramatic response to oral steroid therapy. Because of the diverse cellular proliferation, diagnosis can be difficult, especially on frozen section study.

Primary pseudotumor of the maxillary sinus is an extremely rare entity. An extensive review of the literature has produced only four reported cases. We describe six cases of pseudotumor of the maxillary sinus that had clinical and radiographic findings suggesting neoplasia. The purpose of this paper is to report these new cases of maxillary sinus pseudotumor and to better define its natural history, criteria for diagnosis, and selection of treatment.