A Curious Case of Cough in a Young Woman

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT) is a rare neoplasm derived from tissue of mesenchymal origin. This tumour occurs predominantly in the lung, though extrapulmonary sites have been documented throughout the body.1 Presentation can be variable depending on location of the tumour and can include constitutional symptoms (fever, weight loss), thrombocytosis, hypergammaglobulinemia, anemia, and mass effect on local structures.2 Majority of patients with intrapulmonary IMT remain asymptomatic but can have symptoms including chest pain, dyspnoea, cough or haemoptysis.3 Most cases of IMT present in younger individuals (under age 40).4 Although the aetiology of IMT is unclear, current hypotheses suggest an inflammatory response to infection or an underlying malignancy could promote such cellular changes. Alternatively, the inflammatory component itself may be a consequence of the development of these mesenchymal tumours.