Pseudotumor of the Infratemporal Fossa Complicated with Orbital Apex Syndromes

BACKGROUND: The infratemporal fossa poses a great challenge to surgeons due to its complex anatomy and communications to many surrounding areas. The disorders that arise from this area can be infections and neoplasms. They can cause varieties of complications due to the extension of the pathologies and compression effect to the other adjacent structures. Inflammatory pseudotumor of the infratemporal fossa is one of the rare disorders of the head and neck.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a patient with a pseudotumor of infratemporal fossa that extends to the orbital area and cavernous sinus, causing orbital apex syndromes. The diagnostic imaging, different surgical approaches of the biopsy and methods of treatment of this case are discussed.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Radiological imaging and immunohistopathology are essential in establishing the diagnosis and determine the complications. The surgeons must well understand the characteristics and the impact of the disorders on the adjacent structure and give prompt decision to provide definitive treatments.