Inflammatory pseudotumor involving the skull base: Response to steroid and radiation therapy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the response to steroid and radiation therapy in inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) involving the skull base. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Eight patients with IPT of the skull base were evaluated. Six patients were diabetic. All patients underwent initial high-dose steroid therapy. Seven of 8 patients underwent subsequent low-dose steroid maintenance. Additional low-dose radiation therapy was performed in 6 patients. We reviewed the medical records and radiologic findings of the patients to evaluate their responses to the steroid and radiation therapy. RESULTS: in all patients, the initial response to steroid therapy was fair. However, 7 patients showed symptom recurrence after cessation of steroid therapy. In 5 of 6 patients, low-dose radiation therapy resulted in recurrence. On follow-up MRI, none of the patients showed complete remission of the disease. CONCLUSION: This study shows aggressive clinical behavior of IPT involving the skull base and its poor response to steroid therapy and low-dose radiation therapy. For improving control, more aggressive initial efforts including high-dose radiation therapy with or without concurrent steroid therapy might play a role.