Airway obstruction due to inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the posterior pharyngeal wall

Objective: We report a unique case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. Method: We present the patient's case history, management and histopathological findings. A literature review of all cases localised to the larynx or pharynx is provided and discussed. Results: A 67-year-old man presented with airway obstruction due to a spherical mass in the hypopharynx originating from the posterior pharyngeal wall. The tumour was resected. Histopathological examination revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour. We found only five previously reported cases with pharyngeal localisation. Further treatment of the patient is described. Conclusion: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour of the pharynx is extremely rare. It is regarded as a neoplastic tumour of intermediate biological potential. In cases with extrapulmonary localisation, the incidence of local recurrence can be as high as 25 per cent. Radical surgery is the treatment of choice; no adjuvant therapy is necessary.