Primary epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma of the brain with EML4::ALK fusion mimicking intra-axial glioma: a case report and brief literature review

J Pathol Transl Med. 2024 May;58(3):141-145. doi: 10.4132/jptm.2024.04.12. Epub 2024 May 14.

Abstract

An aggressive subtype of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma occurs primarily inside the abdominal cavity, followed by a pulmonary localization. Most harbor anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene rearrangements, with RANBP2 and RRBP1 among the well-documented fusion partners. We report the second case of primary epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma of the brain, with a well-known EML4::ALK fusion. The case is notable for its intra-axial presentation that clinico-radiologically mimicked glioma.

Keywords: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase; Brain; Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma; Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor; Literature review.