An Inflammatory Pseudotumor in the Costo-Vertebral Gutter: Case Report with Literature Review

Background and Importance: Inflammatory pseudotumors are benign tumors-like lesions of unknown cause. The most familiar sites for inflammatory pseudotumors are the orbit and respiratory tract. An inflammatory pseudo tumor of costo-vertebral junction is rare. Case Presentation: We presented here a 50-year-old male with two month history of progressive left cervico-brachial pain. The MRI showed an expansive process at the left costo-vertebral gutter with epidural extension through the lateral foramen, causing spinal cord compression from C7 to D3. The thoraco-abdominal CT scan did not identify other lesions. Conclusion: The inflammatory pseudotumor is a chronic inflammatory process of unknown origin. The location of the costo-vertebral gutter is rare and the treatment involves surgery, steroids and radiotherapy.