OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological features of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) in the abdominal cavity of children. METHODS: The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests and imaging findings of five children with surgically pathologically confirmed IMT admitted to the pediatric surgery department of the hospital in 2000?were examined. RESULTS: All 5 cases had a long history of fever, including 3 cases with a history of recurrent abdominal pain episodes; all tumors were located in membranes; 3 cases were accompanied by anemia (Hb 60-l20 g/L); the maximum diameter of lesions was 3 5-15 cln. 4 cases of myofibroblastic tumors were positive for dense shaped proteins, smooth muscle actin, and muscle-specific proteins; 5 cases had complete resection of tumors and no recurrence at 4 months to 2 years of follow-up. Nodules are rare soft tissue tumors consisting of proliferating myofibroblasts and infiltrating lymphocytes and plasma cells. Because of its locally infiltrative biology, long-term follow-up of the child is advisable.