Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the upper alveolus: A rare entity presenting as a jaw swelling

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare tumor of borderline nature that can clinically present as a malignant neoplasm. It commonly occurs in the lungs, and a very few oral IMTs have been reported in the literature. IMT consists of inflammatory cells and myofibroblastic spindle cells. The diagnosis of IMT requires histopathological examination with immunohistochemical staining to look for the expression of smooth-muscle actin for confirmation of the diagnosis. The objective of this paper is to report an IMT on the upper alveolus with clinic-a pathological similarity with a malignant lesion and its management. Though oral IMTs are rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the upper jaw. Complete surgical excision of alveolar IMT is the treatment of choice because of its unpredictable clinical behavior. The patients with oral IMTs require periodic post-surgical follow-up for recurrence.