The term inflammatory pseudotumour encompasses a very diverse group of conditions, with different sites, whose only common feature is the absence of a specific histological diagnosis. The histopathological and aetiopathogenic data have been derived from experience in the thoracic, orbital and abdominal forms, which are much more frequent than disease affecting the nasal cavities and sinuses. However, there is no evidence that these data are applicable to sino-nasal pseudotumour. We present a case of inflammatory pseudotumour of the nasal cavity and a review of the literature (19 cases in 30 years) with respect to the clinical and radiological findings, the natural history and the specific management of disease at these sites. Surgery seems to be the best option for this localization. Corticosteroids and radiotherapy may be of value in cases of residual tumour after the histological confirmation of the diagnosis and the exclusion of neoplasia.

Inflammatory pseudotumour (IPT) is an idiopathic condition characterized by sclerosing inflammation, which mimics a neoplastic process. IPT involving the skull base and cervical spine is distinctly rare and usually indistinguishable from aggressive neoplasms or infection. We report a case of IPT involving the skull base and cervical spine. Initially the patient complained of headache and hearing loss without other neurological dysfunction. Two cycles of oral systemic steroid therapy resulted in only partial responses. Low dose radiotherapy was followed by quadriparesis as the lesion infiltrated into the cervical vertebral bodies. Subsequently a second course of radiation was administered to the whole cervical spine. Marked improvement was observed clinically and radiologically; however, the patient gradually deteriorated and died of sepsis. Given the aggressive nature of disease and the complications related to the long-term treatment, we suggest that a more aggressive therapeutic approach is suitable in extensive IPT of the skull base.