Infantile myofibroma of the pharynx presenting with severe upper airway obstruction in a child

Massive infantile myofibromatosis of the upper lip causing airway distress in a newborn

Infantile myofibromatosis is a rare condition characterized by benign spindle cell tumors most commonly involving the head, neck, and chest. An infant female with a prenatal diagnosis of a large facial mass was delivered via Cesarean at 34 weeks. Sparse prenatal care was received. Following delivery, the neonate was found to have an 8 cm ulcerative mass involving the upper lip and philtrum. Respiratory distress developed, and mask ventilation was difficult secondary to the size of the mass. The patient was successfully intubated after numerous attempts and then transferred to the children's hospital. Additional imaging demonstrated similar masses within bilateral iliopsoas and gluteal muscles, and her right gastrocnemius. A biopsy confirmed infantile myofibromatosis. At two weeks of life, she underwent resection with bilateral myocutaneous advancement flaps and successful extubation. She received adjuvant vinblastine and methotrexate for her pelvic and extremity disease with excellent response. We present the first case of airway distress secondary to myocutaneous myofibromatosis.