ALK-Negative Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor: A Challenging Case in a Premature Newborn

Article type: Case Report

Authors: Regaieg, C.^{a; d; *} | Triki, M.^{b; d} | Cheikrouhou, T.^{c; d} | Thabet, A.B.^{a; d} | Charfi, S.^{b; d} | Dhaou, M.B.^{c; d} | Boudawara, T.^{b; d} | Hamed, A.B.^{a; d} | Hmida, N.^{a; d}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Neonatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax University, Sfax, Tunisia | [b] Department of Pathology and Research Laboratory LR18SP10, Habib Bourguiba University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia | [c] Department of Pediatric Surgery, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia | [d] University of Medicine of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Chiraz Regaieg, MD, Department of Neonatology, Hedi Chaker University Hospital, Sfax, 3000, Tunisia. Tel.: +21629147484; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMT) are rare borderline tumors with a variable histological appearance that may mimic multiple mesenchymal tumors. We present a rare case of a challenging abdominal mass discovered in a premature newborn. The histopathology showed a bland myofibroblastic proliferation associated with an inflammatory infiltrate that was positive for smooth muscle actin and desmin but negative for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) protein. The diagnosis of an ALK-negative IMT was established. The tumor was partially resected. After six months of follow-up, the residual tumor remained stable, and the patient was asymptomatic. The correct diagnosis and subsequent treatment of ALK-negative IMT require appropriate histopathological, immunohistochemical, and sometimes genetic examination. Further research has to be conducted to help clinicians make an appropriate treatment plan.

Keywords: ALK, inflammatory myofibroblastic, neonate, surgery, tumor

DOI: 10.3233/NPM-230007

Journal: Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 355-359, 2023